Marvel is taking a trip into the strange and supernatural. Here’s everything we know about it.
Now that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has established itself and is ramping up its epic phase 3, it can afford to introduce more heroes into the mix in order to back up the older characters in its roster. One of the more overlooked but no less iconic of these newcomers is Doctor Stephen Strange, Marvel’s resident sorcerer supreme.
We’ve created this up to date guide to keep you up to date on all the info on the film all in one place.
[UPDATE 12/31/15] We’ve have new information about which of Doctor Strange’s powers will show in the film and a possible confirmation of a new infinity stone in the “Anything else we should know?” section!
What is the title of the film?
Doctor Strange, as you can see on the film’s logo:
Who’s writing and directing?
Scott Derrickson (Sinister) is directing. Thomas Dean Donnelly (Sahara), Joshua Oppenheimer (Sahara), and Jon Spaihts (Passengers) are worked on the screenplay based on Steve Ditko’s comics book.
[UPDATE 12/15/15] Sinister co-writer C. Robert Cargill just confirmed he’s reteamed with director Scott Derrickson on the project:
What will the film be about?
[UPDATE 12/9/15] Here’s Marvel’s official synopsis released at the start of production:
“‘Doctor Strange’ follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.”
The movie seems to be following origin story of Dr. Stephen Strange, who was an arrogant and rich world class surgeon until a car accident cripples his hands. Desperate to find a cure and get his life back, he travels to Nepal to find a supernatural cure. Once there, he gets entangled in the supernatural struggle between light and dark and gains powers that in turn make him responsible for protecting our astral plain against sinister forces.
Who’s in it?
Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) is Dr. Strange. Tilda Swinton (Snowpiercer) is the Ancient One. Oscar winner Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave) is Baron Mordo. Other name include Rachel McAdams (Spotlight), Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal), and Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2) in unspecified roles.
[Update 12/29/15] Marvel producer Kevin Feige has described Rachel McAdam’s role in the film:
“Rachel McAdams plays a fellow surgeon that has a history with Strange and is his sort of lynchpin to his old life, once he steps into he role of a sorcerer. She is someone he connects with at the beginning, and reconnects with, and helps anchor his humanity.”
Feige also elaborated on Mikkelsen’s role, which seems to be that of the primary antagonist to Doctor Strange.
“Mads’ character is a sorcerer who breaks off into his own sect. [He] believes that the Ancient One is just protecting her own power base and that the world may be better off if we were to allow some of these other things through.”
Could this mean they’re saving Baron Mordo becoming a villain in the sequel?
How will it tie in with the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Doctor Strange is going to be the first Marvel movie to really delve into the supernatural aspects of the universe. Like Thor did with the cosmic material, Doctor Strange will be adding an entirely new layer to the Marvel films that Dr. Strange himself will be the embodiment of. As such, the movie has a lot of ground work to lay that will hopefully resonate for many other films and TV shows.
When will production begin?
Production has already begun in locations in Nepal, then soundstages in other parts of the world. Here are some pictures and a video from the set:
[UPDATE 12/15/15] Marvel Producer Louis D’Esposito tweeted a photo from set that has a door with the Seal of the Vishanti on it. It seems the Sanctum Sanctorum has been confirmed to be in the film:
[UPDATE 12/17/15] Marvel Producer Louis D’Esposito tweeted a photo from set that had Spider-Man actor Tom Holland visiting. We don’t think he’ll be in the film, but it does make you wonder…
Anything else we should know?
Doctor Strange is actually producer Kevin Feige’s favorite character in the Marvel roster, so expect this one to be handled with care.
[UPDATED 12/28/15] Entertainment Weekly has just released the first pictures of Benedict Cumberbatch in costume:
[Update 12/31/2015] The Entertainment Weekly piece also has Kevin Feige discussing what kinds of powers Doctor Strange will have in the film:
“He can do a whole host of things, eventually. He does cast spells, which in the comics have very sort of tongue-twisty fun names. We don’t want to shy away from that, because that’s what makes Doctor Strange Doctor Strange.
He has a Cloak of Levitation that allows him to fly, but he doesn’t fly like Superman or like Thor. It’s almost got a consciousness of its own, this cloak, which, again, gives us a superhero with a red cape – which we’ve seen a few times – but allows us to do it in a wholly unique and wholly original way.
He can create these mandalas of light that he can use as shields and he can use as sort of weapons. He can create portals that will open before your eyes that he can step through and go to other places around the world. And frankly, even in this film, we’ll only touch upon what a lot of his powers are.”
Feige also seems to be implying that the stone Strange’s necklace (known as the Eye of Agamotto), is an infinity stone that will factor into the culmination of phase 3:
“In this film, the Eye is a very important relic that can be quite dangerous if used in the wrong hands, because it has the ability to do any number of things, the most dangerous of which is, it can sort of manipulate probabilities. Which is also another way of saying, ‘screw around with time’ – which is part of our story.”
When will we know more?
Production is underway, so expect details to leak out here and there. We’ll definitely be getting trailers next year. We’re willing to bet there will be one in front of Captain America: Civil War.
When will the film be out?
The film is currently scheduled to be released on November 4th, 2016.
