Ever since Marvel Studios’ President of Production Kevin Feige announced the third phase of films for the Marvel cinematic universe, rumors have circulated over who will portray Doctor Strange. Joaquin Phoenix was reportedly the front-runner to play the Sorcerer Supreme, but Marvel confirmed Thursday that Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch will take on the highly-anticipated character.

In the Marvel comics, Doctor Strange is a former surgeon entrusted with the power to protect Earth from mystical and alien forces. A wide variety of actors were supposedly considered for Strange, and many believe the studio’s struggle in finding their star was due to the significance of the character in their future plans. The Sorcerer Supreme may replace Iron Man as the central character of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after phase three, since Marvel has confirmed that a Defenders film is in the works and the Sorcerer Supreme was one of that superhero group’s founding members in the comics. With many of the Avengers actors’ contracts nearly up, the Defenders may become Marvel’s new big franchise.

Feige has often discussed his fondness for the Master of Dark Magic and his potential to bring something new to the Marvel cinematic universe.

“You don’t get into it in Harry Potter, but if a scientist went to Hogwarts, he’d find out how some of that stuff is happening! We’re not going to spend a lot of time on that, but there will be some of that. And particularly for a character like Strange, who goes from a man of science to a man of faith and who traverses both worlds. And sometimes there won’t be an answer! Sometimes he’ll want an answer – ‘How is this happening?!’ – and nothing.”

Sinister’s Scott Derrickson is set to direct the film, and Feige assured Empire earlier this year that Derrickson’s reputation for directing horror films doesn’t mean Doctor Strange will fit within that genre.

“It means he is a talented filmmaker who we think could add something unique and very fresh to the particular franchise. But there could be scary moments. There are scary moments in all our movies! There are some scary people that Strange has to deal with, I will say.”

The film is slated for rlease on Nov. 4, 2016.