THE Marvel cinematic universe is expanding with new characters Doctor Strange, Black Panther and Captain Marvel, who will be the first female superhero to anchor her own Marvel film, the Walt Disney Co.-owned studio said Tuesday.

    Marvel’s new slate of eight superhero films announced at a fan event includes both sequels to its stream of box office hits and new franchises, with “Doctor Strange” kicking off the newcomers in 2016.

    Doctor Strange is a former neurosurgeon who loses the ability to perform surgery and turns to magic. Despite widespread reports that he would be played by British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, Marvel did not confirm casting.

    Marvel studio president Kevin Feige said there is plenty of time to find an actress to play Captain Marvel, the alter-ego of a character named Carol Danvers, for the film that will be released in July 2018. “Black Panther,” the superhero alter-ego of T’Challa, will premiere in 2017 and will be played by Chadwick Boseman.

    (SD-Agencies)