British actor Benedict Cumberbatch has yet to put on his costume as Marvel's "Doctor Strange," since production for the film has not really started yet, but even without it, the actor does not seem to have any trouble drumming up excitement for his superhero film.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige spoke before the D23 audience about the start of Marvel's phase three, which would be helmed by none other than "Doctor Strange." He revealed that they have been talking about "Doctor Strange" even before the Marvel Cinematic Studios started, and that the goal of their movies is always to expand and push the boundaries of their superhero universe, beginning last year with "Guardians of the Galaxy," this year with "Ant-Man," and next year with "Doctor Strange."
Since Cumberbatch is busy with his play "Hamlet" in London, the actor could not join Feige on stage, so he prepared a video for his fans instead.
"I'm very excited to be taking on 'Doctor Strange' for Marvel. He is an extraordinary character and brings in a whole other dimension... hmm... multiple dimensions to the Marvel universe," he said in the video, which was met by thunderous applause.
"He's an extraordinary character that brings another dimension" to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he added, and even teased that the film will feature lots of "girls, cars, explosions, a bit of astral projection... the usual fare."
Only two other actors have been chosen so far to join Cumberbatch in the movie. Tilda Swinton will be playing his mentor called The Ancient One, who is portrayed as an older, Asian male in the comic books. Swinton has no clue yet if she will be portraying a male or a female in the film.
On the other hand, Strange's nemesis will be Baron Mordo, played by "12 Years a Slave" actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. As for the part for Strange's leading lady, it still remains open, although that might go to "The Notebook" star Rachel McAdams, who is reportedly in talks with the studio for the role.
The film will be directed by Scott Derickson, while Ben Davis will be the cinematographer.
In a separate interview with Screen Daily, Davis shared that "Doctor Strange" would have a "dark" palette and "psychedelic grounding," and might just be considered as "Marvel's 'Fantasia.'"
To recall, "Fantasia" is a Disney animated movie that was so unlike everything the studio has ever done, and it mixed exciting imagery with classical music.
"It's not your typical Marvel action movie," Davis added. "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."
