Doctor Strange (2016)

[Silver Nemesis]

Any interest in this? It's got a stellar cast that includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Mads Mikkelsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton and Scott Adkins.

Cumberbatch has appeared on fan casting lists for pretty much every comic book property imaginable. I'm sure this isn't the first time he's been offered a superhero role, but it is the first time he's accepted one. He must've seen something worthwhile in the material.

I'm not all that familiar with the Doctor Strange comics myself. The only one I've read is The Oath, which I thought was pretty good. But beyond that, I'm a Doctor Strange noob. Still, the film looks sufficiently different from previous MCU productions to entice my interest. They've certainly assembled a talented cast and crew.

Besides his remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still (which was admittedly awful), all of director Scott Derrickson's previous work has been in the horror genre. And early reports indicate Doctor Strange might have a trippy semi-horror tone to it. The fact it's being released just in time for Halloween in the UK is also quite telling. It would be very interesting to see Marvel dip their feet into the supernatural horror genre. I personally think Derrickson's a much underrated talent in that field. The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister were two of the more ambitious and effective American horror films of recent years. I wonder if Marvel would have the nerve to let him make a really scary superhero film.

Opening up that area of the Marvel universe would also pave the way for possible Netflix shows based on supernatural horror titles like Blade/Nightstalkers, Ghost Rider, Man-Thing and Werewolf by Night. In the same way as Guardians of the Galaxy opened up the cosmic side of the Marvel universe, Doctor Strange could open up an altogether darker area.

Is anyone else looking forward to it?

[johnnygobbs]

It's the MCU!  What do you need, a roadmap?    Of course I'm looking forward to it.

And that cast is like the line-up for a Best Picture Oscar winner...plus Scott Adkins. 

[BatmAngelus]

I haven't read a single Dr. Strange comic, but on looks alone, this was probably the best comic book role for Cumberbatch. He's been suggested for so many comic book roles in the past that he's just not a physical fit for (i.e. Batman), but these images of him as Strange make him look like he jumped out of the comic.

While it's a change in canon, I personally hope they let him keep his English accent. As much as I like the guy as an actor, his performances as an American character have been pretty distracting to me (i.e. Black Mass).

[Silver Nemesis]

It's the MCU!  What do you need, a roadmap?    Of course I'm looking forward to it.

And that cast is like the line-up for a Best Picture Oscar winner...plus Scott Adkins. 

Lol. Something tells me Adkins is not on board for his acting ability.

I haven't read a single Dr. Strange comic, but on looks alone, this was probably the best comic book role for Cumberbatch. He's been suggested for so many comic book roles in the past that he's just not a physical fit for (i.e. Batman), but these images of him as Strange make him look like he jumped out of the comic.

I'd recommend The Oath because... it's the only one I've read. I'm hoping to read some more Doctor Strange comics before the film comes out. Can anyone recommend a good place to start?

While it's a change in canon, I personally hope they let him keep his English accent. As much as I like the guy as an actor, his performances as an American character have been pretty distracting to me (i.e. Black Mass).

I've seen a lot of online speculation about the possibility of him being British in the film. Since Strange was originally modelled on Vincent Price, I thought it might be appropriate for Cumberbatch to adopt a Mid-Atlantic accent like Price's. That way it wouldn't matter if his native accent slipped through every now and then. They could explain that Strange was an American surgeon who'd spent years studying in England and had acquired a mixed accent as a result. That might be preferable to changing his nationality completely. 

[Silver Nemesis]

Filming has officially wrapped.

Meanwhile, look who wandered into a New York comic book store wearing his full costume.

I've got a good feeling about this film. With Civil War looming, they should be releasing a teaser soon.

[johnnygobbs]

Gotta love the Cumberbatch for going into a comic-book store in full costume. 

[Silver Nemesis]

A new poster has been released.

And the first trailer is scheduled to debut tonight on The Jimmy Kimmel Show.

[Silver Nemesis]

First trailer:

This looks like it could be one of Marvel's best, most unique and interesting films to date. It certainly looks like one of their darkest and most serious.

[The Laughing Fish]

I got a bit of an Inception vibe by watching those rotating cities in that trailer.

[Silver Nemesis]

Another new poster: