- Joaquin Phoenix ‘Doctor Strange’ Talks End; Back To Square One

Marvel Studios‘ talks with Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix to play Doctor Strange are kaput. He never had a deal, but Marvel already is getting into it with other actors to play that superhero in a free-standing film. Don’t believe these talks that Boyhood‘s Ethan Hawke has made a deal to play the character; I’m told reliably that that is speculation run wild. I understand Marvel’s belief that Phoenix would have been great for that role, in keeping with putting solid actors in those hero roles. But Phoenix, whose latest, the Paul Thomas Anderson-directed Inherent Vice, opens this weekend at the New York Film Festival. I’m not sure Phoenix is a Comic-Con kind of guy. Before Marvel started talking with him, the major names in the mix included The Drop‘s Tom Hardy, The Imitation Game’s Benedict Cumberbatch and Dallas Buyers Club‘s Jared Leto, among others. Let the speculation begin anew. After teasing references to the Doctor, most recently he got a shout-out in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Marvel has made this a priority.

Blessing in disguise.

I like Jack Huston for Strange personally

Not surprised about Joaquin. This doesn't seem like the type of film he would do.

- Keanu Reeves Talks DOCTOR STRANGE and His Stance on Comic Book Movies in General

You can watch the entire Doctor Strange and superhero conversation below (it’s only three minutes), but if you’re light on time here’s a quote that seems to sum up the thrust. I have to say I agree that Reeves has a good point about those long-term contracts. Of course he’s in a position where he can make those kinds of calls:

"From a practical standpoint the idea of a longtime contract is sort of “errr” because you want to make sure the material is up to a certain level. Like the good or great level. I like the idea. I go to those kinds of movies. I grew up on them and comics and graphic novels. [But] I didn’t know Doctor Strange as a character, I didn’t read that as a kid. I’m gonna have to read it. I remember reading something... who’s going to play Doctor Strange? Would I be good for the role?"

I think I'm just enjoying the response more than the speculation.

- Report: RYAN GOSLING Being Sought for DOCTOR STRANGE & SUICIDE SQUAD

However, Warner Bros. may be facing some stiff competition. Gosling reputedly may be softening his stance towards big franchise films and in recent weeks has also met with Marvel Studios to discuss headlining Doctor Strange. THR also reports he’s fielding an offer to star in Summit’s adaptation of The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero, which if nothing else serves to demonstrate the equity word “superhero” has in Hollywood in 2014.

Gosling joins a wide and growing net of actors who are at the center of Doctor Strange rumors via various sources, including Jared Leto, Justin Theroux, Ethan Hawke, Keanu Reeves, Oscar Isaac, Matthew McConaughey, Ewan McGregor, and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Stop the madness!

- ‘Doctor Strange’ Update: Colin Farrell Enters the Mix, But Don't Count Out Benedict or Joaquin (Exclusive)

Keanu Reeves is also being considered, while Jared Leto, Justin Theroux and Oscar Isaac want the role too

Update 5:15 p.m. PT: Joaquin Phoenix‘s publicist insists the actor's “Doctor Strange” talks are “dead dead dead. A couple of weeks ago they mutually decided to part ways. It was over before the New York Film Festival.”

Benedict Cumberbatch and Joaquin Phoenix are still very much in the mix to star in “Doctor Strange,” while Marvel is also considering Colin Farrell for the coveted superhero role along with Keanu Reeves, an individual familiar with the high-profile project has told TheWrap.

A representative for Marvel declined to comment.

While Phoenix was thought to have recently passed on the role of Stephen Strange following an extended courtship from Marvel, he has apparently had second thoughts and is not entirely out of the picture just yet. It's possible that Robert Downey Jr.‘s negotiations for “Captain America 3” and their impact on the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe could have played a part in Phoenix's decision to walk away from the project when he did. His publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Hot air and misdirection! Guffaw!

- Benedict Cumberbatch To Play ‘Doctor Strange’

EXCLUSIVE: Marvel has finally found its Doctor Strange. I’m hearing Benedict Cumberbatch is the studio’s choice for the superhero pic, and negotiations are about to begin. The news comes after talks with Joaquin Phoenix around the time of Comic-Con went south, and Marvel went back to the drawing board. With names like Jared Leto and Tom Hardy also in the mix, this is obviously a coveted role. I expect this deal to make.

Pretty interesting!

- Marvel Studios Announces "Captain Marvel," "Black Panther," "Avengers: Infinity War"



- Feige Says Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange Not Official, Black Panther 'Big Part' of "Civil War"

On Monday, Benedict Cumberbatch was reported to be entering negotiations to star in the title role of Marvel Studios' "Doctor Strange." On Tuesday, while that film was made official at an announcement-filled Marvel Studios event in Hollywood -- with a release date of Nov. 4, 2016 -- Cumberbatch was not in attendance, nor was his name mentioned in Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige's presentation. At a Q&A with press immediately following the announcements, Feige said it was because a deal has not yet been signed.

"If it were confirmed, we would introduce him today," Feige said.

- Rosario Dawson Tells Us Everything She Possibly Can About ‘Daredevil’

In an interview with MTV News at a press day for the upcoming “Top Five,” in which she stars alongside Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson kept her lips mostly sealed when it came to chatting about “Daredevil.”

Dawson plays Clair Temple, also known as the Night Nurse, and would appear to be both a love interest for the titular Daredevil and a trusted stitcher-upper of superheroes.

“Can’t talk about it though,” she said. “Not even a little bit. I can tell you that you will find strange people lurking in dark corners of your house if you keep persisting. Marvel is a beast.”

“There’s like a cyanide fill in my tooth,” she warned, for use in case she was tempted to slip up and spill info before the May 2015 release date.

Clair also appears in the comic lore of “Doctor Strange,” another in-the-works Marvel movie. Will Dawson pop up in that?

“Wouldn’t that be awesome?” she said. “Just put in a good word for me. Get this trending.”

That would be pretty nice.

- Benedict Cumberbatch Confirmed as Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'

By the hoary hosts of Hoggoth! The rumors were true! Benedict Cumberbatch will play the Sorcerer Supreme in Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange.

The studio has finally confirmed The Hollywood Reporter’s news from October than the Sherlock star would take the lead role in Scott Derrickson’s adaptation of the 1960s series created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

In a statement from Marvel, studio president Kevin Feige said that the role “requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity,” adding that Cumberbatch “will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character.”

This may seem underwhelming given the months of rumors, but like the ancient mystic arts marshaled by Dr. Strange, so too is the art of factual news mastered by very few.

'Bout dang time. Cumberbatch will own the role.

You think he'll own the moustache?

His hair is a bit lighter than I'd want, but I'm not gonna be that picky.

This Bendydick Cucumberbaps guy is attached to a lot of Major Franchises, it was only a matter of time before he entered the MCU.

That's what stunt beards are for.

Did you know Chris Evans wears a wig as Captain America?

Mate, it's Dr. Strange. It's not picky. It's right.

Not expecting the Moustache Supreme to be his own hair. Good call, Macy88.

I admire Dr. Strange. The man has to deal with Dormammu on his own; the most powerful freak from the dark dimension. Probably one of the most powerful villains in the Marvel Universe next to Thanos and Galactus.

- ‘Doctor Strange’ Rumor: Freeman, Nighy, Watanabe Sought to Play Ancient One

According to Latino Review, “multiple sources” contend Morgan Freeman (The Dark Knight Rises), Bill Nighy (Jack the Giant Slayer) and Ken Watanabe (Inception) have been approached to play Strange’s mentor and predecessor as Sorcerer Supreme.

In Marvel comics, Strange sought the Ancient One’s help following his career-ending car accident and instead became his pupil.

It bumps up against the out-of-nowhere casting in Batman Begins, but Ken Watanabe gets my vote. As long as he's willing to rock the full look. C'mon.

- Benedict Cumberbatch on the Beauty of Alan Turing, the Bile of Richard III and the Spirituality of Doctor Strange

Is taking on Doctor Strange a risk? What is alluring to you about playing him?

I don’t think it’s a risk because of Marvel. Marvel is a stable of bringing out ordinary comic characters and turning them into screen-like gods. It’s very different, it’s an Astral Plane. There’s a huge new element to this Marvel universe that’s going to be employed in building this story and this character. But you know, I’m really excited about it, about working with Scott [Derrickson] whose imagination is endless, and all the boys and girls at Marvel who know what they’re doing. I’ve got a few things to get under my belt first. I’ve got to do that little stage production of “Hamlet” in the summer and the Christmas special of “Sherlock,” which we start shooting in about three days’ time – Whoops! Yeah, that’s there.

You once taught English to Tibetan Buddhist monks in India. Given Doctor Strange’s story line – he meets the Ancient One, who teaches him the mystic arts – will filming take you back to the Himalayas?

Ahh ... you’ll have to wait and see. I’m not going to be eked out on any spoilers or reveals now. It’s quite a way off but I’m very excited about that spiritual dimension, obviously. It’s something that’s been a huge part of my life.

Would you take on some of those mystic arts yourself if you could?

I meditate a lot. That’s a huge tool in trying to calm myself, get away from the crazy circus of it all, have a focused mind as well as be a kinder, considerate person in the world. I took a lot of stuff away from my experience in Darjeeling, West Bengal, right at the Nepali border. It was Tibetan Buddhist monks in a converted Nepali house in India, with a view of Bhutan. It was a profoundly formative experience at a very young age. It’s something I’ve tried to keep in my life. It features already.

Did you read the Doctor Strange comics growing up?

Growing up, no. I didn’t read many comics at all. Asterix a bit. I think that was it. There weren’t many comics in my household — [in a self-mocking voice] “I’m so deprived.” We didn’t have Marvel so much. But you can bet your bottom dollar I’m reading them now, avidly.

- Tilda Swinton in Talks to Join Benedict Cumberbatch in Marvel's 'Doctor Strange' (Exclusive)

The actress is negotiations to portray the Ancient One, the Tibetan mystic who is a mentor to Dr. Strange.

Strange is Marvel’s supernatural hero, a formerly cocky surgeon who loses the use of his hands, and while on a last ditch attempt to heal himself, discovers magic.

Strange’s mentor is a Tibetan mystic known as the Ancient One, who is training pupils to be the next sorcerer supreme. In the comics, the character has been a male, and Marvel Studios initially was searching for a male actor.

But the studio rethought the role and has now made it female. If a deal makes, Swinton will play the Ancient One.

Strike 1.

Although Dormammu is one of the most powerful, he isn't even his biggest threat, that would he Shuma Gorath. Regardless I feel like Dr. Strange and Thor both have to take on crazy powerful villains on their own.

I don't know, seems ok to me. I don't get where the female part comes into play, though...


Tilda Swinton is a 90 year old half man-half bird creature, right?

- Chiwetel Ejiofor’s ‘Doctor Strange’ Character Revealed: He’ll Play Baron Mordo

EXCLUSIVE: Deadline has learned definitively what role Chiwetel Ejiofor will play when he suits up for Doctor Strange, the Scott Derrickson-directed Marvel Studios film that will star Benedict Cumberbatch as the title character. Ejiofor, rumored to be joining the film, will play Baron Mordo, an enemy of Doctor Strange who first appeared in the comic Strange Tales in 1963.

Although he’s an enemy in the comics, don’t look for him to be necessarily a completely villainous character. Rather, he’s an amalgamation of characters culled from Doctor Strange‘s mythology.

Strike 2.

- This fan-made ‘Doctor Strange’ credit sequence is spellbinding

Last week we were teased with a fun fan-made trailer for Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange, and now we treated to a wonderfully imaginative credits sequence that employs animated comic book art.

On the one hand, I love this. On the other hand, I don't believe the movies will have any shot of rising to these heights. Which is kind of a bummer.

- 'Doctor Strange' set for "dark", "psychedelic" look

Cinematographer Ben Davis has shed light on the look of Marvel’s upcoming Doctor Strange, which is set to shoot in the UK later this year starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role.

Davis, who was director of photography on Guardians of the Galaxy and also lensed Avengers: Age of Ultron for the mini-studio, revealed that the film is set for a “dark” palette and “psychedelic grounding”.

Speaking at a BAFTA Masterclass in London last night (Aug 4), Davis suggested that the film’s visuals will be influenced by the images of 20th century artist M. C. Escher, known for his mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints, featuring impossible constructions and explorations of infinity.

“It has a very psychedelic grounding, and it’s not your typical Marvel action movie,” he stated, before noting that his initial reaction to the project was that it could be “Marvel’s Fantasia”.

“Most of the work within it is about other dimensions. And I described it, I think, when I was talking to Marvel as Marvel’s Fantasia, in a way, because it’s so sort of out there and different to everything else that they’ve done.”

“There’s a lot of previsualisation, and there’s a lot of work which is very hard – you look at it and you see the imagery that they’ve created for it and you think, ‘well how the hell do we shoot that!?’ because it’s all sort of Escher stuff.

More interesting quotes in the article.