Amrita Aulakh
Staff Writer
@Arcadia_Jr
Benedict Cumberbatch caused quite the stir on his first day [ever] at San Diego Comic Con.
Cumberbatch graced everyone at the Con with his presence as part of DreamWorks Animation’s latest Madagascar installment, The Penguins of Madagascar. The convention hall was already packed and cheering in anticipation, but the minute Cumberbatch was mentioned or even when his voice was heard during the film’s exclusive clips, the crowd erupted in uncontrollable screams, cheers, and applause.
Cumberbatch voices a James Bond-esque wolf who is in charge of the North Wind, a group of elite animal helpers. When Cumberbatch finally showed up to the panel, he admitted that it was his first time at Comic Con. Not only was the star genuine and charming, but he also showed his dedication to his roles. He jokingly quipped that he prepared for his Madagascar role by working as a wolf at Yellowstone Park.
“I was accepted by the pack quite quickly. It got a bit hairy, no pun intended, when I became the alpha male. In about a month or two, I realized that two of the other wolves were Christian Bale and Daniel Day-Lewis,” joked Cumberbatch, further adding that the hardest part of his role was “getting un-wolfed. Don’t put any kittens in front of me”.
When Cumberbatch was asked what he thought of voice work, the actor responded by saying that he preferred to use his body. A bit later, a questioner struggled to ask Cumberbatch a question so he jokingly added, “Why don’t you ask me about my shoe size?”
Cumberbatch also told the audience that the first book he read as a child was The Hobbit and that if he could play any superhero, it would be Batman. The question was asked in hopes of Cumberbatch confirming outright or denying his rumored involvement in the Doctor Strange film. Cumberbatch had plenty of jokes to crack, and by that point everyone had been won over by his charm and witty humor. There were plenty of people and panels to see on the first day of Comic Con, but Cumberbatch won everyone over without even trying.
Check out the trailer for The Penguins of Madagascar, which will be in theaters this Thanksgiving.