Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman may be “Sherlock” co-stars and fellow denizens of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Cumberbatch doesn’t share Freeman’s feelings on the “Sherlock” fanbase, whom the man who plays Dr. Watson says has made making the show “not fun anymore.”
“Being in that show, it is a mini-Beatles thing,” Freeman told The Telegraph last month. “People’s expectations, some of it’s not fun anymore. It’s not a thing to be enjoyed, it’s a thing of: ‘You better f–ing do this, otherwise, you’re a c–.’ That’s not fun anymore.”
This weekend, The Telegraph spoke with Cumberbatch during the press tour for “Avengers: Infinity War,” in which the actor will reprise his role as Doctor Strange. When asked about Freeman’s remarks, Cumberbatch said he wasn’t impressed.
“It’s pretty pathetic if that’s all it takes to let you not want to take a grip of your reality,” he said. “What, because of expectations? I don’t know. I don’t necessarily agree with that … There’s a level of obsession where [the franchise] becomes [the fans’] even though we’re the ones making it. But I just don’t feel affected by that in the same way, I have to say.”
“Sherlock” premiered on BBC in 2010, thrusting Cumberbatch and Freeman into mainstream popularity. Four three-part series have been created, along with a Victorian-era special, with the most recent series being released in January 2017. Cumberbatch is signed on for a fifth series and has expressed interest in returning. However, the show’s return has not been announced.
Meanwhile, Cumberbatch and Freeman both have plenty on their schedules. In addition to “Infinity War,” Cumberbatch will play Doctor Strange in the upcoming fourth “Avengers” film due out next summer. Before then, he will provide the voice of Shere Khan in “Mowgli” and play the titular role in Illumination’s adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Freeman, who played CIA agent Everett K. Ross in “Black Panther,” can be seen in IFC’s indie horror film “Ghost Stories.”
10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2018, From 'Ocean's 8' to 'Avengers: Infinity War' (Photos)
Avengers, panthers and dinosaurs, oh my! It's another superhero heavy year ahead at the movies, with fans clamoring for the sequels and finales to some of the decade's biggest franchises. A survey of Fandango users gathered up the 10 most anticipated films of 2018. We can't wait!
10. "Ocean's 8" (June 8)
The female-fronted spinoff to "Ocean's 11" is as cool as can be, with an all-star cast of women leading another high-class caper. Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, Awkwafina and Mindy Kaling star. Watch the trailer here.
Warner Bros.
9. "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" (Nov. 2)
Fans have been itching for a film adaptation of "The Dark Phoenix Saga" for ages, in which Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) is imbued with incredible powers that transforms her to Dark Phoenix. Jessica Chastain joins the cast of X-Men as the film's mysterious villain.
EW
8. "A Wrinkle in Time" (March 9)
Ava DuVernay directs this extravagant fantasy and adventure about a trip through space and time to find a missing scientist. Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Pena and Zach Galifianakis all star. Watch the trailer here.
Disney
7. "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" (Nov. 16)
Part two of five in this prequel series in the Harry Potter universe finds Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) teaming up with a young Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) to battle the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). Check out new images from the film here.
Warner Bros.
6. "Incredibles 2" (June 15)
Fourteen years after Pixar's "The Incredibles," this super family is back on the job, with Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) taking more of a front and center role this time around. Check out the teaser here.
EW/Pixar
5. "Solo: A Star Wars Story" (May 25)
After a lot of headaches in the production that eventually led to Ron Howard taking the directing job, it seems fans won't mind following the "Star Wars" franchise to the summer and watching Alden Ehrenreich shoot first as the iconic Han Solo.
Disney/Lucasfilm
4. "Untitled Deadpool Sequel" (June 1)
Ryan Reynolds is strapping his spandex back on for the sequel to "Deadpool," which has added Josh Brolin as the villain Cable and "Atlanta" star Zazie Beetz as Domino.
20th Century Fox
3. "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" (June 22)
Jeff Goldblum is back in the sequel to "Jurassic World," with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard returning to Isla Nublar to rescue the dinosaurs that live there from being wiped out by an active volcano. Check out the trailer here.
Universal
2. "Black Panther" (Feb. 16)
The rare movie on this list to open this winter rather than in the summer, T'Challa of "Black Panther" first stole the show in "Captain America: Civil War." And "Creed" director Ryan Coogler has assembled an impressive cast of up-and-coming black actors including Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira and Daniel Kaluuya.
Marvel Studios
1. "Avengers: Infinity War" (May 4)
Marvel has promised that "Infinity War" would finally start bring this chapter of the current crop of Avengers to a close and usher in a new era of heroes, and the initial trailer showcasing their fight with Thanos teases the grim stakes at hand.
Marvel Studios
1 of 11
A survey of Fandango users also listed sequels to ”Deadpool“ and ”Jurassic World“ among the list
Avengers, panthers and dinosaurs, oh my! It's another superhero heavy year ahead at the movies, with fans clamoring for the sequels and finales to some of the decade's biggest franchises. A survey of Fandango users gathered up the 10 most anticipated films of 2018. We can't wait!