Out of all of Marvel's Phase 3 projects, perhaps none is lesser known than "Doctor Strange." The psychedelic Sorcerer Supreme was the epitome of counter culture back when the comic first appeared and the film promises to be different than any other previous Marvel offering.
What is known about "Doctor Strange" is that it has assembled an all-star cast with Academy Award-nominee Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role, Academy Award-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor playing villain Baron Mordo and Academy Award-winner Tilda Swinton portraying The Ancient One. Out of these three characters, Baron Mordo is the biggest question mark.
Mordo is a former student of the Ancient Once who develops a grudge against Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange. The origin of that grudge is unknown at this time as is how it will play out on screen. But Ejiofor, who had been rumored to be courted by Marvel since January, finally broke his silence about his role. Unfortunately, he didn't reveal anything we didn't already know.
"I am doing Doctor Strange, and I'm incredibly excited about it. That's all I say," he told Entertainment Weekly during a recent interview. Ejiofor did mentioned that Cumberbatch, who co-starred with him in "12 Years a Slave" is "a good friend of mine...so, it's gonna be fun. And Tilda Swinton - I haven't worked with her, but I'm excited to work with her. She's brilliant."
Marvel President Kevin Feige unveiled a concept reel at Disney's D23 Expo last week in which fans got a feel for the unique vibe of "Doctor Strange." The film is expected to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe's territory (both physical and visual) by exploring magical and mystical realms and different dimensions. Similarly, "Ant-Man" introduced the Quantum Realm into the MCU while "Guardians of the Galaxy" traversed the Universe. The goal of these films is to expand Marvel's playground beyond Earth-based settings.
Cinematographer Ben Davis sited surrealist artist M.C. Escher as a major influence on the film's design, calling it "different to everything else that [Marvel's] done."
"Doctor Strange" will hit theaters on Nov. 4, 2016.
