Not done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) yet? Neither are we.
With Marvel‘s “Ant-Man“ marking the end of Phase Two of the MCU, it’s time to get real excited for Phase 3. One of the highly anticipated movies that will be featured in the 3rd phase is “Doctor Strange“, a film that will introduce the “mind-trippy” supernatural side of Marvel’s Universe.
Back in December 2014, “Sherlock” star Benedict Cumberbatch is confirmed to have joined the film as Doctor Stephen Strange aka the Sorcerer Supreme.
Before Cumberbatch was cast, “Her” star Joaquin Phoenix was Marvel’s top choice to play the role. However, the negotiations fell apart and the casting was back to square one. At the time, “Matrix” actor Keanu Reeves and Jared Leto were also rumoured to take up the lead role too.
The studio eventually cast Cumberbatch because Marvel’s President Kevin Feige said that “Stephen Strange’s story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity”.
Now, it seems like principal photography on the movie is currently underway in Kathmandu, Nepal because several set photos have recently surfaced online.
In the original comic, cocky neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions after a horrific car accident. The set photos seem to indicate that Cumberbatch’s character has been away from his medical practice for a while and is currently on a quest to search for The Ancient One, a Tibetan mystic who fixes Strange’s hands and teaches him to become the next Sorcerer Supreme by taking him as an apprentice.
The Tibetan mystic will be played by Tilda Swinton, though the actress is no where to be seen in the set photos. What we did get to see is a much clearer look at a scruffy Cumberbatch in full costume as Stephen Strange.
It is unclear how long the filming will be carried out in Nepal, but the studio is expected to film in the UK next month.
Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” will be helmed by director Scott Derrickson (of “Sinister” and “Deliver Us From Evil” fame) and based on the screenplay written by Jon Sphaits (of “Prometheus” fame).
Rachel McAdams is attached to play the female lead, though her role is kept under wraps. Michael Stuhlbarg will play Doctor Nicodemus West while Chiwetel Ejiofor will portray the good doctor’s arch foe, Baron Mordo. “Hannibal” and “Star Wars: Rogue One” star Mads Mikkelsen is also in talks to play a villain, but his role remains a mystery.
Take a look at the rest of the set photos:
https://twitter.com/Rhish_NP/status/662237985245556736
Pics are fab #kathmandu #nepal, many thanks to the nepalese ppl brilliant job with the pics #cumberbatch #drstrange pic.twitter.com/sk0hZW4G8k
— Anything Cumberbatch (@Anythingbatch) November 5, 2015
#drstrange shooting in #Kathmandu #BenedictCumberbatch. pic.twitter.com/c7nxyzjIlU
— Vinay (@vinaymelbourne) November 5, 2015
I met Benedict Cumberbatch at Bhotihiti today 😉#bigfan #drstrange pic.twitter.com/24IpqvTb6b
— siraj सिरज (@serazahmad) November 5, 2015
Another shot of Cumberbatch at Bhotahiti, taken by Sanjay Adhikari #cumberbatchinNepal #drstrangeinNepal pic.twitter.com/hjGpkOoKkP
— siraj सिरज (@serazahmad) November 5, 2015
“Doctor Strange” is officially slated for release on 4th November 2016.
Stay tuned to our site for more updates.
Sources: Coming Soon, CBM, io9.
