11 New Things We Learned About Benedict Cumberbatch Today

Benedict Cumberbatch seems content to be the object of endless fascination. The Imitation Game star took over Dreamworks’ Tumblr last night to promote his other movie, the animated Penguins of Madagascar. While he was answering fans’ mundane questions online, New York magazine published a new profile of the actor, focusing on his obsessive internet fan following. After reading both the article and his Tumblr responses, here are 11 new facts we’ve learned about Mr. Cumberbatch.

• If Benedict Cumberbatch were a pizza, his toppings would be “broken glass, barbed wire, and a little bit of grit.” Which makes us wonder, does Benedict Cumberbatch really know what a “pizza” is?

• Cumberbatch describes his “favorite comfort food” as “delicious donations to charities that I care about.” Again, we’re starting to wonder whether Cumberbatch actually eats food, or whether he has some kind of special diet hack that allows him to live on charm alone.

• If he had a pet penguin, he would name it either “Butterball” or “Flightless.” To keep its ego in check, presumably.

Does Naomi Watts haunt Cumberbatch’s dreams?

• Cumberbatch reveals a secret crush on Naomi Watts (above). “She’s just gorgeous. I know she’s married, and I’m very happy as well, but she— I think it’s her talent,” he tells New York.

• When asked if he would be a good secret agent, Cumberbatch said he’s surprisingly good at keeping secrets, having “managed to keep quite a few professional ones… so far.” Could he be referring to his rumored casting in Marvel’s Dr. Strange?

• His much-posted “dance-off” with Michael Fassbender at the Golden Globes was inaccurately described. “We were dancing together, as grown men should. There’s no ‘off’ about it. We were dancing ‘on.’ We were together, in perfect male harmony,” Cumberbatch tells New York.

Imagine this cute critter’s otter horror and dismay

• If he could be any animal, Cumberbatch would not choose his doppelganger, the otter. “Not meaning to be eagle-tistical, but a gliding bird of prey has always struck me as something of great beauty - to be suspended in the air, defying gravity with majestic views all around you,” he writes. “Without anyone with a smartphone standing nearby, watching you.”

• Cumberbatch sees his internet following as “utterly the most inept superpower you could possibly imagine,” joking, “You’re really famous, and you’re a sex symbol. Go!”

• Having been cast as lots of misunderstood geniuses, Cumberbatch is eager for a change of pace. “I have played stupid people as well!” he reminds New York. “If anyone’s got any other stupid people I can play, let me know.”

• A cut scene from Madagascar involved Cumberbatch’s character, a wolf, dancing with and seducing another animal. He described it to New York as the closest he’s come to playing a romantic lead.

• Cumberbatch can type the word “penguins” correctly, even if he can’t pronounce it.

Photos: WireImage, Getty Images, Thinkstock