DOC STRANGE TO REALLY BRING THE COSMIC TO MARVEL FILMS

Tarsem Singh is #1 on my director list. The Fall is a masterwork & Immortals shows that he isn't a stranger to studio popcorn flicks (whether it's any good we don't know but it's certainly visually impressive).

He's great with actors &, more importantly considering Marvel's penny-pinching, he can go "Holy Shit!" BIG on miniscule budgets.

Billy Crudup, for Adrian Lyne.

With superheroes with elements of cosmic tied into their origin already introduced in MCU (Thor, and Capt. America by the presence of the Cosmic Cube), I think the audience is ready for a character like Dr. Strange. Personally, I think instead of Thor 2, they should've scheduled Dr. Strange for 2013 instead, and delay the sequel for Thor until 2014. I just don't know if the GA is ready for three consecutive years of Thor on the big screen, even though he has a very impressive run on the international box office. As for director, maybe David Yates since he has alot of experiences with movies featuring the practice of magic.

Yates is actually a really great idea, and I'll be shocked if Johnny Depp's name doesn't get floated for this.

Depp's the obvious choice but I doubt Marvel will want to meet his price. I suspect someone cheaper and British will get the role.

I elect Benedict Cumberbatch, especially if they're skewing younger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebastian OB 

Depp's the obvious choice but I doubt Marvel will want to meet his price. I suspect someone cheaper and British will get the role.

 

I elect Benedict Cumberbatch, especially if they're skewing younger.

After seeing that clip from FRIGHT NIGHT I'd say David Tennant might be a decent, bargain-basement, option. Although I do wonder if he'd have the screen-presence for a leading role in an odd property like this.

Still really excited for a Doctor Strange film, even if everytime I see the character I think of Dr. Orpheus.

You know, I loved Tennant as the Doctor and liked him in FRIGHT NIGHT, but I'm beginning to think the guy is a ham. I have not seen him do subtle. If they were going big and hammy for DOCTOR STRANGE I could see it working, but if they were going for a more downplayed Strange, I couldn't.

Even Tennant's take on Hamlet is REALLY dialed up, massively amplified and lacking any sort of complex emotional core. Like I said I also don't think he would have the neccessary presence to hold together a film, and I say this as a fan of his run on Doctor Who.

I think, however, if Strange was part of a larger overall group someone with Tennant's hammy instincts would probably make the character pop.

Daniel Day-Lewis would rock the shit out of this role.

Nic Cage is in the waaaay  wrong Marvel franchise, even SORCERER'S APPRENTICE agrees with me.

Without going too obvious (RDJ! DDL!) how about Oscar Isaac? Or failing that, can Benedict Cumberbatch grow a better beard than he did for VAN GOGH?

Jason Isaacs could be a fun Doctor Strange, if he could curtail his inbuilt malevolence.

Whoever signs up to play Dr. Strange is going to be stuck signing the 6 to 9 film contract that Marvel is making all of its actors sign these days.  You aren't going to get someone like Johnny Depp or Daniel Day-Lewis to sign up for a massive multi-film deal like that.  Hell, they barely got Chris Evans to do it for Captain America.  That and they are probably going to want to hire someone young.  I'd take a look at whoever is "hot" right now or at least on their way up.  Oscar Isaac is a good choice.  Also, while I don't think he's a good fit for this role, Alexander Skarsgaard has already auditioned for Thor, Loki, and Captain America.  He's gunning hard for a Marvel flick and they're going to hire him eventually.  Hell, I'd take a close look at all of the actors who tried out for Thor and Captain America.  It's that same group that will be chasing after Dr. Strange and other Marvel roles.

What I am more shocked by is the fact that Marvel seems to be gearing up THREE big budget superhero flicks for 2013.  Iron Man III (May) and Thor II (July) are already locked.  I know Feige has said in the past that the long-term goal is for them to release four films a year, but I had always assumed the extra two would be lower budget efforts (Luke Cage, Iron Fist, the SHIELD spinoffs, etc.).

Also, what is going on with Peter Sollett's Runaways?  It was originally supposed to be Marvel's other 2012 release, but was bumped so they could focus solely on Avengers.  Unlike Wright's Ant-Man, the script is supposedly ready-to-go................so what is the hold up?  It will be interesting to see what other projects Marvel announces for 2013 and 2014.  I'm guessing will will probably see Captain America II grace screens in the latter, but that still leaves two or three more films to fit into the schedule.  What else will we get?  Runaways?  Ant-Man?  Black Panther?  Another Hulk film?

After being let go from her latest Broadway gig, Julie Taymor makes a big-budget attempt to win back the comic book superhero crowd.

Starring Steve Coogan.

....I don't know whether I'm kidding or about which part.

HAH!

Funny thing is that both Feige and the Cap screenwriters (who are already toying with Cap 2 ideas) have mentioned on more than one occasion that MODOK is very much on everyone's mind over at Marvel Studios. 

Not that I would endorse him for the role of Strange but I have recently begun watching Rome for the first time and I really think Kevin McKidd would have made a better Thor.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Accept no substitutes.

He's young, cheap(ish), insanely talented/intense, and quirky enough to pull it off and make the character entertaining without degenerating into parody the way that Depp is prone to doing. Plus, he's got the basic look. He just needs to grow a goatee.

ETA: And cast John Hawkes as Baron Mordo. 

Speaking of Hawkes, how about Olyphant for the Dr.?  Bear in mind I know nothing about the character, so I might be way off base.

I heard an industry rumor that the reason Marvel wants to get these second tier characters off the ground is so they can be in future Avengers movies. They know that they won't be able to afford the big names past the first Avengers film, so they want to do one-offs of Dr. Strange and Luke Cage and others to fill in the cast for Avengers sequels.

So basically don't hold your breath for a Defenders film; the Avengers will be a rotating cast.

That makes perfect sense, OB.

That's not surprising.  Most of the actors have signed the "Marvel deal" and will likely still be under contract for the next team-up flick (2017?), with the obvious exception of Robert Downey Jr.  I'm pretty sure his contract is up after Iron Man III, which means he can ask for whatever he wants to after that.  It will be interesting to see how long he sticks around.  That franchise is his main bread & butter and he is Marvel's biggest star, so he might stay around for a few more beyond 2013......................but I can't see him doing it forever.

God help whoever gets cast as Tony Stark once RDJ vacates the role.  Although if Marvel can get enough franchises off the ground over the next ten years, I wonder if they'd have the balls to just kill some of their characters in the Movieverse.  I severely doubt it, but how awesome would it be if they actually did it............having Iron Man or Captain America actually die saving the world in one of the Avengers flicks?

I'm sure RDJ will be the first to go, but I bet he'd be willing to do a cameo in an Avengers sequel. I imagine Avengers 2 will still likely have Thor and Cap, with Hawkeye and Black Widow taking bigger roles, possibly War Machine filling the robot man part, and adding Dr. Strange and/or Luke Cage.

Joseph Gordon Levitt's not a bad choice but Doc Strange has greying temples & is in his late 30s - mid 40s.

Hey, I know a guy who could use a new franchise!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TzuDohNihm 

Not that I would endorse him for the role of Strange but I have recently begun watching Rome for the first time and I really think Kevin McKidd would have made a better Thor.

I thought we all agreed that Hemsworth is the best thing about that movie? I was totally on the McKidd bandwagon back when the movie was casting, but now I couldn't imagine anyone else in the role.
 

How long before George Clooney rumors start up considering the character's look?

Try to imagine Keanu saying "Hoary hosts of Hoggoth" or other such Dr. Strange-like shit. Shudder.

I was going to first suggest Clooney as a joke.

My gut feeling is that this role is going to require a Brit to sell it. Too bad Gary Oldman is too old, 15 years ago he'd be perfect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebastian OB 

My gut feeling is that this role is going to require a Brit to sell it. Too bad Gary Oldman is too old, 15 years ago he'd be perfect.

Agreed on both counts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooper 

I thought we all agreed that Hemsworth is the best thing about that movie? I was totally on the McKidd bandwagon back when the movie was casting, but now I couldn't imagine anyone else in the role.
 

 

After seeing Cap twice in one week I would say that it is definitely the better film and will hold up to repeat viewings.  Thor may do the better B.O. but it is a much more forgettable film.  Saying Hemsworth was the best part of the film isn't saying much once time wears it down.

I feel like in the past year I have lost sight of who the up and comers are in Hollywood because I honestly haven't the slightest idea who I would cast as Strange.  Maybe I don't care about such things anymore since DC dropped the ball so big on Green Lantern.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebastian OB 

Try to imagine Keanu saying "Hoary hosts of Hoggoth" or other such Dr. Strange-like shit. Shudder.

Constantine demonstrated that Reeves can handle "mystic speak" just fine.

I am still 100% about Crudup after all this thread's suggestions.

Or Jason Patric, fifteen years ago.

Guy Pearce.

Or Joseph Fiennes.

Ooooh Guy Pearce...that's goddamn brilliant.

Sold.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TzuDohNihm 

After seeing Cap twice in one week I would say that it is definitely the better film and will hold up to repeat viewings.  Thor may do the better B.O. but it is a much more forgettable film.  Saying Hemsworth was the best part of the film isn't saying much once time wears it down.

 

Not sure what comparing Cap and Thor's performance has to do with anything, but Hemsworth was undeniably fun in the role, and that was my point. McKidd only seems to do grim and dour well.

Edit: On topic, love the Guy Pearce idea.

Pearce is in Prometheus and has the lead role in Luc Besson's Taken-in-space riff, Lockout. So now might be the time to get him on the cheap, he could finally earn the high profile he's deserved in 2012.

So, I re-edit - Pearce first, then Crudup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooper 

McKidd only seems to do grim and dour well.

If they ever decide to bring Ares into the movieverse, McKidd should be a lock for it (really it should go to Ray Stevenson, but he can't be Punisher, and Volstagg, AND Ares).

It'll never happen.....but Clive Owen would be my choice. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by TzuDohNihm 

After seeing Cap twice in one week I would say that it is definitely the better film and will hold up to repeat viewings.  Thor may do the better B.O. but it is a much more forgettable film.  Saying Hemsworth was the best part of the film isn't saying much once time wears it down.

 

I disagree completely. That is all.

Sean Bean would be my pick. Probably too old, but he still seemed pretty hale in Game of Thrones. Plus, everyone loves him now. If this is one of those modestly budgeted entries, maybe it would work. It wouldn't kill them to cast just this one character as older.

John Hawkes as Baron Mordo is a delightful idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe T 

Or Jason Patric, fifteen years ago.

Nah, he's my Batman 15 years ago! As directed by Ridley Scott.
 

Hmm, some interesting suggestions so far. If I had to add a new name, I'd go with Michael Sheen. He has a good range, isn't a complete unknown due to his appearances in a variety of small and big budget movies, and Marvel would be able to hire him at a reasonable price.

However, if this movie does really happen, they need to give Jeffrey Combs a cameo. He has played Doctor Strange before....sorta.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Mordrid

You want an actor who is crazy charismatic and would probably be cheap? How about the best part of Ocean's 12? He looks like the character and is old enough that he'd be realistically old enough to be a respected but arrogant surgeon.

I could live with Michael Sheen as Doctor Strange. And I could certainly live with Cassel as Baron Mordo.

Michael Sheen is a great choice and one I could easily see happening.

Great, now all I want to see is Sheen vs Cassel in an epic magical cosmic battle while both shamelessly chew the scenery.

Make it happen intaweb!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse Custer 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Accept no substitutes.

 

He's young, cheap(ish), insanely talented/intense, and quirky enough to pull it off and make the character entertaining without degenerating into parody the way that Depp is prone to doing. Plus, he's got the basic look. He just needs to grow a goatee.

 

 

ETA: And cast John Hawkes as Baron Mordo. 

 

 

 

 

Sold on JGL, but can we pleased have a better villian than Mordo. If the Harry Potter movies taught us anything, it's that magic battles are pretty boring things to watch on the big screen.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spike Marshall 

Jason Isaacs could be a fun Doctor Strange, if he could curtail his inbuilt malevolence.

He was actually the first person I thought of.  Strange should have a touch of the scary to him.  Sadly Isaacs is awfully typecast as bad guys, but he's acquitted himself pretty well in occasional non-malevolent roles.  Heck, his turn playing a faux James Bond in The Tuxedo was enough to get me thinking he'd do a pretty good job with the genuine article.

Almost a shame RDJ played Tony Stark, because if there were one Marvel character he'd probably be note-perfect for, Strange is it.

In the interest of getting another name tossed out:  How about David Thewlis?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fafhrd 

If they ever decide to bring Ares into the movieverse, McKidd should be a lock for it (really it should go to Ray Stevenson, but he can't be Punisher, and Volstagg, AND Ares).

McKidd as Adam Warlock now that I think about it.  And Peter Dinklage as Pip the Troll.

I'm kinda set on Rufus Sewell, but... Kevin Bacon? Maybe I just want the entire Marvel universe to be at the second degree.