Benedict Cumberbatch wasn't initially sold on the box office projections for Spider-Man: No Way Home. The actor reprised his role as Doctor Strange for the first time after the Infinity Saga in the Tom Holland and Jon Watts MCU film. But despite all the hype surrounding the film, the actor says that he was initially dubious about how successful it could be.

As the only active hero Spider-Man had a personal relationship with, Peter Parker sought the sorcerer for help after his life was turned upside down after his secret superhero identity was revealed. Feeling bad for the young hero, Doctor Strange meddled, despite Wong's (Benedict Wong) stern warning. Unfortunately, his intentions to help backfired after his memory spell went awry and inadvertently exposed Earth to interdimensional threats. As a supporting character in the sequel, not to mention starring in some of the top-grossing MCU flicks, it turns out Cumberbatch wasn't confident that Spider-Man: No Way Home will actually break box office records.

Related: No Way Home Makes Iron Man's Endgame Fate & Legacy Darker

Speaking with Empire Magazine as he gears up for the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Cumberbatch recalls talking to Kevin Feige about how big Spider-Man: No Way Home could be. While the MCU architect was optimistic about the threequel, even saying that it could shape the future of cinemas, he wasn't impressed. Now, however, he admits that he was clearly wrong as Holland's film has already grossed $1.8 billion around the globe.

“I think when Kevin Feige first said, ‘We’ll know about the future of cinema, or the cinemagoing experience, after this film,’ I was like, ‘Okay, everyone’s drinking too much of the Kool-Aid around here,' My ignorance was showed up.”

Spider-Man No Way Home Best Picture Kevin Smith

Both Marvel Studios and Sony knew full well that Spider-Man: No Way Home would do well, considering how much buzz it had leading to its release. They were comfortable starting its marketing just around four months before it hit theaters meaning that they were confident that fans would show up to watch it in cinemas. What makes this feat so much more impressive is the fact that it happened in the middle of another coronavirus pandemic wave when people were starting to get nervous again going out, let alone sit in a movie theater. But between how popular Spider-Man is and its good reviews, the public ultimately decided to check it out. At this point, Spider-Man: No Way Home is only $1 million away from beating Avatar's record.

Marvel Studios has a new shot at another hit with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, marking Cumberbatch's return to the MCU after Spider-Man: No Way Home. The film's first trailer was immediately the talk of the town after it was released during Super Bowl LVI. The clip was dense, but arguably its biggest surprise was the confirmation that Patrick Stewart is back as Professor X. If Marvel Studios was willing to spoil this detail in its marketing, expect that there are more and bigger surprises saved for the film itself.

More: Doctor Strange 2's Trailer Just Hinted Iron Man Return Rumors Are True

Source: Empire Magazine

Key Release Dates