Benedict Cumberbatch regrets playing this character: ‘Wouldn’t Do That Again’

• Benedict Cumberbatch opened up about his role in Zoolander 2.
• He admitted that it’s a part he wouldn’t take on today.
• He explained that he was excited to join Zoolander 2.

Benedict Cumberbatch has opened up about his controversial role in Zoolander 2, admitting that it’s a part he wouldn’t take on today. In the 2016 Ben Stiller-directed comedy, the British actor played All, a non-binary fashion model—a portrayal that received backlash from LGBTQ activists for its handling of gender identity.

In a recent interview with Variety, Cumberbatch acknowledged the controversy, stating, “I’ve had to apologize for that quite a lot.” He explained that while he was excited to join Zoolander 2 due to his admiration for the first film, the role itself led to unintended consequences. “It got complicated and it got misunderstood and I upset people. And I respect that, so I probably wouldn’t do that again now,” he admitted.

Back in 2022, speaking to costar Penélope Cruz, Cumberbatch also reflected on the backlash, stating, “In this era, my role would never be performed by anybody other than a trans actor.”

Director-star Ben Stiller previously addressed the film’s reception, telling PEOPLE in 2023 that the negative response was “blindsiding” and left him questioning his comedic instincts.

Cumberbatch has several upcoming projects, including The Phoenician Scheme and The Thing with Feathers, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

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