doctor strange
Via TheWrap
The cast to Marvel's next new super hero franchise is getting bigger and better. Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tilda Swinton are already confirmed to star in Marvel's psychadelic, magical movie, Doctor Strange. Now, confirming her casting as the female lead, True Detective star, Rachel McAdams will head to the Scott Derrickson project.
While we still don't know who she'll play, the most likely candidates are Clea, a mystical ruler of a parallel dimension:
Or Morgana Blessing, author and occasional subject of possession by the Sorcerer Supreme:
Both are potential love interests and/or antagonists to Benedict Cumberbatch's former surgeon turned super Sorcerer.
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Not sure if Derrickson's going with the classic Into Shamballa storyline from J.M. DeMatteis and Dan Green, or if he's just interested in the visual ambience of the piece, but either way it's a good sign.
Via Mashable
Marvel provided the following statement to Mashable in response to the heated speculation over potential whitewashing of Tilda Swinton's 'The Ancient One' character in Doctor Strange:
"Marvel has a very strong record of diversity in its casting of films and regularly departs from stereotypes and source material to bring its MCU to life. The Ancient One is a title that is not exclusively held by any one character, but rather a moniker passed down through time, and in this particular film the embodiment is Celtic. We are very proud to have the enormously talented Tilda Swinton portray this unique and complex character alongside our richly diverse cast."
Doctor Strange screenwriter C. Robert Cargill provided the following reasoning for his changing of the character for the film:
"He originates from Tibet, so if you acknowledge that Tibet is a place and that he's Tibetan, you risk alienating one billion people who think that that’s bullshit and risk the Chinese government going, 'Hey, you know one of the biggest film-watching countries in the world? We’re not going to show your movie because you decided to get political,'" said Cargill. "If we decide to go the other way and cater to China in particular and have him be in Tibet… if you think it’s a good idea to cast a Chinese actress as a Tibetan character, you are out of your damn fool mind and have no idea what the f*ck you’re talking about."
What do you make of all this?
And of course the trailer, in case you need a refresh on that Doctor Strange hype:
Today saw the release of the Marvel's Doctor Strange. A movie that we can't help but be excited about.
As much as we love the visual mindbending adventure, and as much as we adore Cumberbatch, it's important that we pause and take a moment to reflect on the character's history. That way we can appreciate the implications and can see how it reflects on the time in which he was created, and what we can learn from it today.
Via Indiewire
Indie Wire is reporting that Marvel just finished negotiations with the UK's Pinewood-Shepperton studios to begin filming Doctor Strange around May 2015. If the Sorcerer Supreme's shooting schedule goes ahead, we're most likely looking at a release in 2016, and since Marvel already has July 8th, 2016 booked, we don't have to speculate very hard.
Keep in mind there's been no confirmation on this release date, but if it's correct, it more than likely means an actor has been chosen to play the titular character. Has Joaquin Phoenix finally agreed? Or has another taken up the mantle? I've heard rumors around Boardwalk Empire star Jack Huston, but since he's taking over Ben-Hur, they're probably wrong.
Via comicbook
Seeing the good doctor working with a team will be an event indeed. Although he's worked with others in the past it will be interesting to see how he fits in with the others in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
