The 40-year old Benedict Cumberbatch reveals how he prepared for one of his most demanding roles, bulking up to play Marvel's doctor turned superhero "Doctor Strange".

Having been known for intellectually-heavy roles, Benedict has faced some challenges getting ready to play "Doctor Strange", with many actors and actresses playing superheroes also having undergone intense physical workouts.

"It was very physically demanding," he tells Mail Online, "Not just getting all hench, as they say in Wales, the buffness you need for the superhero stuff. But also just day-to-day fitness and the stamina to do 14-15 hour days with very little turnaround and very little sleep and a baby at home and all the rest of it."

He also tells iTech Post that he got fit "the boring way" by eating a streamlined diet, being trained everyday by professionals, doing yoga, and having a physiologist help during injuries. Benedict also says that he had to do a lot of running in preparation for his stunts.

Benedict is also fond of calling this workout his "Shakespeare diet", as he starred in the West End production of "Hamlet" during filming for "Doctor Strange" and compares theater rehearsals to a three hour cardiovascular workout. He quips that he workout also often involved "a lot of ale from past experiences".

Although filming for the movie wrapped up in April, the actor is glad for the opportunity to get into shape and is still sporting the buffed up look, maintaining the hard work he's been putting himself through.

The last major diet change for a film Benedict has had to make was for "Star Trek: Into Darkness", where he had to eat 4,000 calories a day to play villain, Khan.

"Doctor Strange" is set to release in cinemas in November 4 and stars Benedict Cumberbatch who plays Stephen Strange, the world's top neurosurgeon. The story revolves around his journey of spiritual healing and enlightenment with "The Ancient One" after suffering a major car accident that robs him of his abilities.

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