Benedict Cumberbatch Slams MCU Productions: “It’s a Grossly Wasteful Industry”

Benedict Cumberbatch recently opened up about the extreme side of being a superhero, and it’s not just about doing stunts or memorizing lines. While chatting on the podcast Ruthie’s Table 4, hosted by River Café chef Ruth Rogers, the Doctor Strange star talked about the massive amount of food he had to eat just to stay in Marvel shape. And he didn’t sound too happy about it.

He called the whole process “horrific,” explaining that his diet was so intense it felt completely unnecessary. “I think it’s horrific eating beyond your appetite,” he said. “Going back to responsibility and resourcefulness and sustainability, it’s just like, ‘What am I doing? I could feed a family with the amount I’m eating.’”

According to Cumberbatch, during filming, he had to eat five full meals a day, and even between those meals, he was snacking on things like boiled eggs, cheese, and almond butter crackers. All of this was planned out by a professional chef just to help him stay in superhero shape for his role as Doctor Strange.

But it wasn’t just the food that bothered him. He took aim at the movie industry overall, calling it “a grossly wasteful industry.” He mentioned how much goes into making a film, set building, energy use, travel, and yes, all the food, which adds up to a huge environmental cost.

“Think about set builds that aren’t recycled, think about transport, think about food, think about housing but also light and energy,” he said. He also admitted that actors who speak up about climate issues often get criticized, mostly because the film industry is so full of excess.

Still, Cumberbatch said he tries to be more mindful when he can, especially in his work as a producer with his company, SunnyMarch. He said even small changes help, like reducing single-use plastics on set. “You don’t have to give the crew plastic bottles,” he said. “If you’re in the middle of a desert and you can’t get glass bottles there, fair enough. But we’re in 21st Century.”

His honesty shines a light on a side of superhero acting that fans don’t often hear about. And he’s not the only one who’s gone through it.

Other actors in Marvel and DC films have talked about similar experiences. Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, once said he had to eat every two hours, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night to drink protein shakes just to maintain his muscle mass. Kumail Nanjiani, who transformed his body for Eternals, said the pressure to look like a superhero felt overwhelming at times.

Even Hugh Jackman has spoken about the exhausting prep that went into playing Wolverine, including crazy high-calorie diets and dehydration before shirtless scenes.

All these stories show that the superhero look comes at a cost—both to the actors and to the environment. And Cumberbatch is just the latest to speak up about it.

Right now, Cumberbatch isn’t confirmed to return as Doctor Strange in the next Avengers movie, but his comments might stick with fans longer than any magic spell.

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