Want to know what Marvel Studios might have in store for the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Fret not! We’ve got you covered!
As you might already know, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed that the “Doctor Strange” feature film is currently in development as part of “Phase Three” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Rumours about the film cast, plot direction, and even the film’s release date have been floating around the Internet recently but nothing was confirmed yet.
To keep you in loop, here are some of the things we know about the film so far:
1. Rumoured directors
Earlier reports have stated that several directors, including Mark Andrews, Jonathan Levine, Nikolaj Arcel, and Dean Israelite, were taken into consideration to direct the film. However, Feige stated that the article about the alleged directors was falsely reported even though Marvel was considering prospective candidates. The director candidates list was later shortened to Mark Andrews, Jonathan Levine, and Scott Derrickson.
2. Confirmed director
In June 2014, “Sinister” director Scott Derickson was reportedly chosen to direct “Doctor Strange”. The report corresponds with Feige’s interview with Empire Online in April 2014, in which Feige stated that the film will be introducing the supernatural side of the Marvel Universe. By supernatural side, most of us can only assume that Scott Derrickson will be the one to helm the project as he is best known for producing horror films such as “Sinister”, “Deliver Us From Evil”, and “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”.
3. Possible plot direction
One of the possible directions for the “Doctor Strange” film is by introducing Doctor Stephen Strange’s origins before he becomes, “The Sorcerer Supreme”. Since the plot hasn’t been officially announced, we’d advise everyone to take this with a grain of salt.
Rumour has it that the feature film will not be introducing Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange and it will begin in medias res where Doctor Strange is already established as “The Sorcerer Supreme”. Devin Faraci from BadAssDigest revealed that Marvel’s new “thing” is to not have origin stories and that the screenwriter Jon Spaiths is working on a new script for the film. Sounds plausible? Maybe.
The only thing we know is that the film would be a doorway to the “mind-trippy” supernatural side of Marvel’s Universe, where the evil forces of the inter-dimensional demon Dormammu and Baron Mordo could be the potential villains for the film.
4. Who will write the script?
At first, the screenwriting duo Jonathan Robert Aibel and Glenn Todd Berger were on board to pen the script for “Doctor Strange”. The talented tuo is best known for their work in “Kung Fu Panda” and its sequel. However, it was later confirmed that Marvel has hired screenwriter Jon Spaihts to rewrite the script of “Doctor Strange”. Previously, Jon Spaiths penned the script for Martin Scorsese’s sci-fi thriller film, “Prometheus”.
5. Rumoured cast
Although the film has been kept tightly under wraps, earlier speculations suggested that Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumbetbarch were being considered for the titular role of the film. However, there is no way that both actors will be joining the project as they are exceedingly busy. American Hustle star Jack Huston and Mad Men star Jon Hamm were previously rumoured to be taking the lead role but all the rumours have been debunked by the actors themselves.
6. Joaquin Phoenix as Doctor Strange?
Image via THR
In case you were wondering, Joaquin Phoenix’s iconic portrayal of Commodus in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator has earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor as well as nominations for the Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild, Satellite Award, and BAFTA Award.
Amidst the rumours surrounding the cast for “Doctor Strange”, Joaquin Phoneix emerged as the possible actor to play Doctor Strange as various news sites have reported that the actor is in final talks for the role. The actor was even spotted buying Doctor Strange comics in New England when he was shooting for Woody Allen’s new untitled film.
Plus, Marvel was close to announcing the film’s release date during SDCC 2014 but inevitably failed to do so as they weren’t able to lock down Phoenix as Strange. The current status of “Doctor Strange” indicated that the actor is taking the film role with a lot of consideration before he signs on a long-term deal with Marvel.
7. Production date & release date
While we patiently await the official casting announcement, it was reported that the filming will start in Spring 2015. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed the news with Total Film at Barcelona’s CineEurope:
“[W]e think we’ll be casting probably in the next month or two,” he says, “and announcing an actor, and then we get into production in the spring of next year”
As the film will be part of the “Phase Three” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is expected for release on 8th July 2016uly 8.