Since Scott Derrickson was confirmed as director, the big question swirling around Marvel’s adaption of Doctor Strange is who will play the Sorcerer Supreme. The question may now have an answer, with The Wrap reporting that Joaquin Phoenix is in early talks about the role.
Despite rumours swirling around such notable names as Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Justin Theroux and Jared Leto, it would appear that Phoenix is closer than anyone to making a deal. That said, there has been no official confirmation and even the site’s sources have specified that there’s no contract in place just yet. Phoenix also seems a surprising choice given his apparent reluctance to take on blockbuster roles in recent years and Marvel’s reputation for having actors sign multi-role contracts.
The character of Doctor Strange was originally conjured from the brains of Stan Lee and art genius Steve Ditko, and began life as a selfish New York surgeon (named Stephen Strange) who loses his professional skills in a car crash. After falling on hard times, he visits a healer in the Himalayas known as The Ancient One, and learns to tap into psychic powers. In recognition of his selfless efforts to thwart evil fellow disciple Baron Mordo, he’s taught the mystical arts and sets out to defeat other shady sorcerers and various villains.
Strange’s film is expected to be one of the movies recently announced by Marvel for its bumper crop of release dates; the confirmation – with or without Phoenix – should come tomorrow at the company’s San Diego Comic-Con panel.