After Joaquin Phoenix realized he didn’t want to spend his near-future shooting and promoting at least one Marvel film (and certainly more to follow), the studio once again opened the casting net for Doctor Strange. While rumors swirled for the last few weeks, it looks like they’ve settled on their choice, and it’s not exactly a surprising one, for Benedict Cumberbatch is now in final talks.
Deadline broke the news, revealing that Jared Leto, Keanu Reeves, Tom Hardy, and many more were also considered. It looks like the gig is going to go to the Sherlock actor, however, unless a Phoenix-esque breakdown of discussions occurs. Directed by Scott Derrickson and scripted by Jon Spaihts (Prometheus), the film will follow a neurosurgeon that goes on to become a mystical defender of Earth. As Cumberbatch figures out his superhero-filled schedule in the coming years, check out the first clip from his latest feature, The Imitation Game (review), below:
Doctor Strange opens on July 8th, 2016.
What do you think of the casting?