Marvel in Talks with Benedict Cumberbatch to Play Doctor Strange
After talks between Marvel and Joaquin Phoenix died down earlier this month, things weren't looking so good with the film. While Guardians of the Galaxy was Hollywood's summer blockbuster savior and Marvel's biggest risk-turned-profit, there still existed a level of concern for Marvel Studios in regards to the Joaquin Phoenix situation and the Ant-Man/Edgar Wright shenanigans. It's as if, suddenly, a kink in Marvel's armor was beginning to form, slowly unraveling into a downward spiral of failure after such a long run of success... or not.
Because as it turns out, Marvel went back to the drawing board, set their sights on somebody big, and somebody big they got. Deadline is reporting that Sherlock star (and the internet's favorite actor) Benedict Cumberbatch is being viewed as THE guy Marvel wants to portray the Sorcerer Supreme. Negotiations haven't officially begun, but it appears very likely that Cumberbatch would be more than willing to sign on to a multiple-film contract.
Marvel might finally have their Doctor Strange, and it couldn't be a better actor than Cumberbatch. Anybody who's seen Sherlock knows how immensely talented he is, and with Doctor Strange sharing some similar quirks with Sherlock Holmes, Cumberbatch is a natural fit for the role. I'm personally looking forward to seeing Cumberbatch in a goatee, which should make the internet go insane.
[via Deadline]
Joaquin Phoenix Won't Play Doctor Strange After All
Talks have ended and the hope is now dead: Joaquin Phoenix won't be joining the Marvel stable of actors to portray Doctor Strange. Despite word that Phoenix and Marvel were close to settling on a deal in late August, it appears Marvel and Phoenix are going their separate ways. Rumor has it that Phoenix wasn't comfortable with the contractual obligations Marvel has for their actors and the very nature of effects-heavy blockbuster films. This is bad news for those, like myself, who would have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the talented actor join a list that includes Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, and more.
However, could this news simply be a smoke screen thrown up by Marvel and Phoenix? With New York Comic Con taking place next week, the news could be a way to keep the dream alive and truly surprise fans during one of Marvel's panels in New York. With that said, if the news is legitimate, who would be a good fit for the enigmatic doctor?
[via IGN]
Joaquin Phoenix in Final Talks to Portray Doctor Strange
Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Natalie Portman, Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Jeremy Renner, James Spade, Elizabeth Olsen, Robert Redford, Anthony Mackie, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba... the list goes on and on and on with so much actor talent involved with Marvel Studios' slate of films. If rumors are true, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will receive a three-time Oscar nominated actor.
Joaquin Phoenix (Her, The Master) is in final negotiations to portray the mystical Doctor Strange in Marvel Studios' Phase 3 of films. His name was attached to the project months ago, but since then, no updates were given. Even as recently as this week, actor Jack Huston's (American Hustle) name was floating around. However, that appears to have been nothing but smoke as Marvel has focused their sights on Phoenix. Of course, given the actor's pedigree and pickiness over projects, it still might be an extensive period of time before his contract is confirmed. More so, there's no telling how many films Phoenix will want commit to as they could interfere with future projects he might find interest in.
Nevertheless, if Phoenix joins the Marvel Studios family, they'll increase their already huge advantage of Warner Bros./DC by name recognition alone. I for one would love to see Phoenix portray Doctor Strange, if only to see a new side of Phoenix's acting abilities.
[via Collider]
Scott Derrickson in Talks to Direct Marvel's Doctor Strange
If rumors are to be true, it appears that Marvel might be one step closer to getting stranger... Doctor Strange, in fact. It's being reported that Deliver Us From Evil director Scott Derrickson is in talks with Disney and Marvel to helm the planned Doctor Strange film. Considering Derrickson's past films, such as Sinister and The Exorcism of Emily Rose (amongst others), Doctor Strange could be a bit darker and scarier than what we've become accustomed to from Marvel Studios. Furthermore, it represents the entrance to the magical realm of the Marvel Universe the way Thor entered the cosmic setting and this summer's Guardians of the Galaxy will explore space.
The news comes a silver lining, albeit a thin one, in the wake of the mini Ant-Man director controversy. Since Wright's departure, two of the three purported shortlist of directors mentioned last week, Rawson Thurber and Adam McKay, have both entered and left discussions to helm the film. Ruben Fleischer is the only director left on the rumored shortlist, but if word of his attachment to Ghostbusters 3 earlier this week is true, Disney and Marvel might have to re-evaluate their strategy for the film. Hopefully, bridges weren't burned down enough for them to re-negotiate talks with original director Edgar Wright.
[via /Film]
Johnny Depp rumored to portray Marvel's Doctor Strange
Following yesterday's surprise casting of Michael Douglas in the Ant-Man film, the rumor mill has been running with more casting speculation, this time for 2016's proposed Doctor Strange film adaptation. When the shortlist for Ant-Man was revealed to include Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Paul Rudd (who ended up getting the role), there were conflicting rumors that also included Joseph Gordon-Levitt being considered for the aforementioned Doctor Strange role. As is the case for all online film rumors, especially pertaining to superhero castings, it's all taken with a grain of salt.
It appears as if another name has been thrown on top of the growing mound of salt as frequent Tim Burton collaborator Johnny Depp has reportedly met with Marvel about the role. Latino Review, who has correctly reported on some of the major confirmed superhero rumors as of late, was the first outlet to to break the rumor. Confirmation (or denial, even in the form of a red herring) will sure to come down the line, but considering Doctor Strange's planned 2016 release, it could be awhile before anything substantial comes to fruition.
One major aspect to the rumor is that, if it is true, it means Disney is comfortable with altering the plans from having a younger Doctor Strange for a more mature one. Granted, Depp has been blessed by the Fountain of Youth and looks nowhere near his 50 years of age, but to build a potential franchise around him would illustrate Disney's complete faith in the actor. I'd still prefer to have a younger actor in the role, but it would good to see Depp play a role that isn't a total cartoon caricature... then again, Doctor Strange is a practitioner of the mystic arts...
[Latino Review, via Collider]