Doctor's orders: Is TV's Sherlock the new Dr Strange?

If rumours about the brilliant actor are to be believed, will most likely don on the persona of superhero Doctor Strange.

Cumberbatch, and Jared Leto were all early candidates to star in Doctor Strange, but it was Joaquin Phoenix who became a focal point of Marvel's search this summer, reports huffingtonpost.com.

Phoenix was reportedly selected for the role, but talks between him and Marvel ended in early October.

After Phoenix fell out, Cumberbatch, Hardy and other actors such as and Ethan Hawke have reportedly been shortlisted.