Benedict Cumberbatch Rumored To Play Marvel’s Doctor Strange
Marvel was pumped up when they announced the Phase 3 of its cinematic universe including the announcement of the release date of "Doctor Strange" movie during an event at El Capitan Theatres in Los Angeles last October 28.
Despite announcing the director and the release date of the Supreme Sorcerer movie, Marvel keeps mum on the casting. Perhaps, nothing is final yet on the actors and actresses involved in the film.
One name was rumored to be already in "final negotiation" with Marvel and that is "Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch. There were speculations that Cumberbatch is the top choice or the number one pick to play the role Doctor Strange, a fictional character created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1963 who is a neurosurgeon turned sorcerer.
Doctor Strange, or Stephen Vincent Strange, is a neurosurgeon who becomes a Sorcerer Supreme after a car accident has damaged his hand. The accident changes his egotistical attitude when he meets Ancient One, the Earth's Sorcerer Supreme.
During the event, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige denied the rumor, saying, "If it was confirmed, we would have announced it today." It was also tweeted by Marvel Executive Editorial Director Ryan Penagos after the event.
When the talks with Joaquin Phoenix didn't push for him to play Doctor Strange because of conflict in his schedule, Marvel went back to zero. After Phoenix dropped out the lead role, Colin Farrell, Ryan Gosling, and Keanu Reeves as well as Cumberbatch were rumored being eyed by Marvel to take the role.
However, Marvel still has to deal with Cumberbatch's schedule given his many commitments, including "Sherlock" series in BBC and in theater productions.
"Doctor Strange" was originally set to release in summer 2016 but during the conference Marvel announced that it will arrive in theaters on November 4, 2016 and will be helmed by Scott Derrickson.
"It takes a while to work on these movies before they're ready to come to you in theaters," said Feige as published at CNet.
