According to Benedict Cumberbatch Star Wars and Doctor Who are two franchises he won't be a part of in the near future.  For Star Wars: Episode VII, fronted by his Star Trek Into Darkness director J.J. Abrams, it wasn't for lack of trying on Cumberbatch's part.  It appears as though he would have liked a part in in the highly anticipated film, but, alas, he will not appear on the casting sheet.  Cumberbatch was rumored to have a role in the film quite a few months ago, but we've yet to hear any official word (ie, from the studio itself) one way or the other.  As for Doctor Who, it certainly sounds as if Cumberbatch has a zero level of interest in ever joining the franchise.  Honest truths or studio spin?  You make the call after the jump.

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Here's a look at what Cumberbatch said about Star Wars: Episode VII and Doctor Who during a Q&A at Australia's Oz Comic-Con, reported by The Iris (via The Playlist):

The Iris ‏@TheIrisAU  I would've liked a part in JJ's new Star Wars but it won't happen sadly

The Iris ‏@TheIrisAU I'm never gonna play The Doctor, & nothing to do with the Whoniverse

So that's what Cumberbatch said, but do we buy it?  This is the same star and, in Abrams, director who, for months, denied playing Khan, and even the existence of the character, in Star Trek Into Darkness.  Is it possible they've taken the secrecy a step further and won't even confirm casting until an agreed-upon date most conducive to their marketing plans?  Even as filming on Star Wars: Episode VII is underway, we've yet to hear any official word on the principal cast or story, so it certainly seems as if J.J.'s "Mystery Box" is still in play.  Chalk it all up to conspiracy theory or simple studio smoke and mirrors, but I'll wait until an official casting confirmation to react one way or the other.  In the meantime, let us know your thoughts on Cumberbatch's will he/won't he casting comments.

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Image via PBS