Something strange is coming. Doctor Strange to be specific.
Marvel Studios announced today that the first film of phase three, Doctor Strange, has begun production. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Black Mass, The Imitation Game) Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 years a slave, The Martian) Rachel McAdams (Southpaw, Sherlock Holmes”) Micheal Stuhlberg (Steve Jobs, A serious man) with Mads Mikkelsen (Clash of the Titans, Casino Royale) and Tilda Swinton (Micheal Clayton, The Grand Budapest Hotel) Directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinster, The Exorcism of Emily Rose), The film is scheduled to be released November 4th, 2016. It will be shot in several locations including London, New York, Hong Kong, and Kathmandu Nepal. It promises an all-star cast behind the scenes and in front of the camera including the visual effects designer for Guardians of the Galaxy. Excelsior!
Doctor Strange follows the story of Stephen Strange, a brilliant neurosurgeon who after a horrific car accident discovers another dimension of magic and mysticism. He battles demons and other monsters.
His first official MCU mention coming from Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Doctor Strange joins the ranks of Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and The Hulk, along with Black Widow and Hawk eye in the Avengers. Doctor Strange is the second new superhero to be introduced after Ant-Man who will potentially join the Avengers team. The film promises to be an origin story, not only for a new hero to the MCU but also for a new side of the Cinematic Universe. The supernatural has so far given way to the more mundane, or at least more realistic. Werewolves and vampires have been the stuff of twilight and television, not comic books and major cinematic masterpieces.
Excited for Doctor Strange? Intrigued by a new entry to the MCU? Curious as to how the mysticism of the MCU will stand up to it’s attempts to tell realistic stories? Sound off in the comments below.