The Holidays are approaching, and you know what that means: tanks. Lots and lots of tanks. And to celebrate the season, Wargaming just revealed that none other than Benedict Cumberbatch will be the official Ambassador for the World of Tanks Holiday Ops 2026 event. You can check out an exclusive behind the scenes look at the actor’s appearance in the game in the player above.
Cumberbatch sat down with IGN to dive into his participation in World of Tanks, break down his favorite video games as a kid, and share whether Doctor Strange would beat Doctor Doom in a fight.
“World of Tanks is about as good as it gets,” Cumberbatch says. “My character in the game does much more than just handing out assignments. From the winter garage, he shares bits of life (and) wisdom through stories that inspire players to push forward. There’s also the special Holiday Ops Challenge filled with over 50 battle missions that grant exclusive, customized rewards – including my role as a tank commander with my own voice in the game.”
Cumberbatch follows in a long line of celebrities who’ve participated in World of Tanks Holiday Ops events including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Milla Jovovich, and Vinnie Jones. Cumberbatch says that his favorite tank in the game is the M24 Chaffee, but that all the artillery in the game wouldn’t stand a chance against one of his famous on-screen characters.
When we asked Cumberbatch who would win a face-off between every single tank in World of Tanks combined and Doctor Strange, he scoffed. “Doctor Strange. Come on guys, of course it would be the good Doctor.”
Cumberbatch, who’s appeared in games like The Nightjar, Sherlock: The Network, LEGO The Hobbit, and Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff, says video games were an essential part of his childhood. “It all started with a little Nintendo Donkey Kong Jr.,” Cumberbatch says, “which I was obsessed with, and then Mario Brothers of course. I had an Atari console which I used to remember playing very basic ping-pong with my dad and a rather scary end of days nuclear strike game where you had to intercept intercontinental ballistic missile(s)! I remember how stiff the control sticks were but (they were) all very fond memories and despite the simplicity a great deal of fun.
“I had a SEGA Game Gear a little later on, but apart from that now the console and gaming world kind of left me behind with adult life. At moments like this I wish I could find some time to while away the hours either with a shoot ’em up or strategy-heavy game. Everything that happened (with World of Tanks) was a completely new experience for me – engaging with the video gaming world and its creative side in such an intense way. It’s been fascinating, and I’m excited to see how players will receive it.”
Cumberbatch, who’s known for his appearances in the MCU, on-screen roles like Sherlock and Smaug, and critically acclaimed turns in films like The Power of the Dog, August: Osage County, and The Imitation Game, says he and the Wargaming team recorded hundreds of voice lines to give his character depth and make him “instantly recognizable.”
“Like all things gaming, (World of Tanks is) wild and clever and fast moving. Here I am stepping into a completely new world and exploring a role that’s both grounded in a certain reality that then slowly swirls into magic realism and absurdity via some great comedic beats.
“I’m the virtual commander in World of Tanks, but in the guise of a highly inappropriate therapist. I’m guiding players through the battlefield with a steady hand. My character is eccentric and high-energy but also the embodiment of calmness. He is a tactician and strategist who knows that true strength lies in composure and clarity of thought.”
Beyond World of Tanks, fans are eager to know if Cumberbatch will appear as Doctor Strange in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday. While he’s tightlipped on that possibility, Cumberbatch does have an opinion as to who’s the ultimate Doctor in the MCU. When we asked him who would win in a fight – Dr Strange or Doctor Doom – he didn’t mince words.
“I hope Dr Strange!”
The World of Tanks Holiday Ops 2026 event kicks off on December 5, 2025, and continues through January 12, 2026.
Michael Peyton is the Senior Editorial Director of Events & Entertainment at IGN, leading entertainment content and coverage of tentpole events including IGN Live, San Diego Comic Con, gamescom, and IGN Fan Fest. He’s spent 20 years working in the games and entertainment industry, and his adventures have taken him everywhere from the Oscars to Japan to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Follow him on Bluesky @MichaelPeyton
