Late 2016 and early 2017 brought us another two Marvel Cinematic Universe hits in the form of two solo movies. Doctor Strange released over a year ago, Spider-Man: Homecoming almost. Benedict Cumberbatch (who plays Stephen Strange) and Tom Holland (who plays Peter Parker) recently explained to press how their characters have grown since their solo films to now, with the release of Avengers: Infinity War just around the corner.
Benedict Cumberbatch opened up about his character's transformation from the hero he became in 2016's Doctor Strange at the recent premiere fan-event which screened roughly 25 minutes of the movie.
He's fun. The evolution of him in this is interesting. We met a very somber person by the end of the first film. I think he'd become crude into the idea of being really heroic is sacrificing your own needs and selfishness for something a little more selfless and doing good for others. That's a lonely part for the taking. That moment where he looks at the watch, his last vestige to Christine, and then out of the window and there he is in a profile of a hero to come. That's the person we meet a little bit in Thor: Ragnarok, giving Thor the run around, and then very much so in this.
He's, as everyone is in this film, constantly taken by surprise by the speed of events, the ramping up of jeopardy, however the events and threats just overtake them basically. Everyone is just playing a game of survival in this film. He still seems to be a little step ahead, slightly book-ending it with some foresight. Also, trying to be more of the adult in the room. There's still comedy but he's not quite as petulant and certainly not as egotistical narcissistic as he was in the first film.
When asked to describe Avengers: Infinity War in three words, Cumberbatch put it eloquently:
Epic, epic, epic.
Also speaking with Hey U Guys at a red-carpet event for the upcoming film; when asked about changes since Homecoming, Holland explained that things are now very different for Spider-Man.
A lot. A lot has changed. He is taking on something that is bigger than any of the Avengers could possibly have imagined from the beginning of the MCU so you can imagine he's a little bit out of his depth but as Peter Parker always does he figures out a way to try.
The young actor also took the time to give his take on the questionable "Instant Kill" feature revealed in Homecoming that might be different than what people assume based on its name.
I don't actually think the Instant Kill function does what everyone thinks it does. I think it simply shuts off electricity. I don't think it's a killing piece of tech. I don't think it is to murder people. I don't think Tony Stark's that dark.
What do you think about the two actors' comments? Are you excited to see an evolved take on Doctor Strange and Spider-Man? These interviews are available in video form below:
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