Marvel's Doctor Strange (2016)

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by camper

Nick Fury wasn't ever all that popular, so they took a chance and I think that they benefited because of it.

Dr Strange is a bit more established, and changing him would be a very bad idea. Part of his appeal is that he was your very stereotypical upper class white man who thought he was better than anyone in the world, and had no time for the 'little' people--which was everyone else but him. He was the highest possible social strata in the 1960s--a neurosurgeon--which elevated him high above even the other doctors of the time. Then he lost it all in an accident, and his whole personality changed and he became someone who puts his life on the line to protect people he doesn't even know exist.

Not convinced that being white makes any difference. All that's important is that he's an arrogant neurosurgeon.

Thor is a Norse God so he's got to look somewhat Scandinavian. Captain America wouldn't have become a wartime icon if he were black. Those are much more compelling arguments.

And Nick Fury was fairly popular, just not with you.

Look, as I've said, I think Benedict Cumberbatch is the man. I just think the other possibilities mentioned aren't that strong and I'd rather they expanded the search than cast someone like Keanu Reeves or Ewan McGregor. Or go with an unknown.

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by camper

Nick Fury wasn't ever all that popular, so they took a chance and I think that they benefited because of it.

MCU Nick Fury is black because the character is inspired by the incarnation from the Ultimate Marvel continuity, who was modeled after Samuel L. Jackson himself (Marvel asked permission for his likeness and everything). Taking a chance doesn't have much to do with it at all.

[djakrse]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

MCU Nick Fury is black because the character is inspired by the incarnation from the Ultimate Marvel continuity, who was modeled after Samuel L. Jackson himself (Marvel asked permission for his likeness and everything). Taking a chance doesn't have much to do with it at all.

I had seen comic book images already. I had no idea, but I guessed they must have made the comics in anticipation of the movies to come out. Learn something new every day.

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by djakrse

I had seen comic book images already. I had no idea, but I guessed they must have made the comics in anticipation of the movies to come out. Learn something new every day.

The Ultimate comics started in 2000, so it wasn't something they planned for anything in the future; they just thought it'd be fun.

It was more like, "let's put Nick Fury at the end of Iron Man to tease the Avengers, and let's make him Ultimate Nick Fury since he already looks like SLJ!"

[IroquoisPliskin]

if u guys have seen count of monte christo where jim cazaviel wears the red robe/cape. he kinda looks like strange, except hes older now which would be even better since strange is average aged man.

[The Dragon]

Originally Posted by The Dragon

How about Jim Caviezel?

Originally Posted by The Dragon

Or-and I know it'll never, ever, happen...

Probably THE ABSOLUTE BEST:

I'd mentioned these two before, with little to no interest.

[Taygan315]

I think Luke Evans would be the perfect choice for Dr. Strange

[camper]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

Not convinced that being white makes any difference. All that's important is that he's an arrogant neurosurgeon.

Thor is a Norse God so he's got to look somewhat Scandinavian. Captain America wouldn't have become a wartime icon if he were black. Those are much more compelling arguments.

In this day and age, its nothing for a black man to be a neurosurgeon, the opportunity is there for the taking. But in the 1960s it would have been far more difficult for that to happen.

It would bother me only from the standpoint that changing popular characters races/ages/sexes/personalities bothers me. I want adaptations to be as true to the source material as is possible, and these factors come into play.

And Nick Fury was fairly popular, just not with you.

Not mainstream popular. Though admittedly, Dr Strange does fall into the same category...though I do I think he always did have a bit more of a following than Fury. Back in the heyday of comic collecting you couldn't get any money for a Nick Fury comic (unless it was from the 60s) and the bulk wound up in the 10 cent bin, and while Doctor Strange's were in there also there were many that had value because they were still sought after.

Look, as I've said, I think Benedict Cumberbatch is the man. I just think the other possibilities mentioned aren't that strong and I'd rather they expanded the search than cast someone like Keanu Reeves or Ewan McGregor. Or go with an unknown.

Well, if they do decide to go with a black man I would seriously hope they consider Denzel Washington. Though I worry he may be too old for the role.

I'm not sure about Benedict Cumberbatch though. He's a fantastic actor, but I just can't see it. Keanu...that could be interesting. I think in most films he's either really good, or really bad. I always get the impression from him that he's trying to hide the true tone of his voice...like he's making it sound deeper than it actually is. Always makes him come off as being stiff.

Ewan McGregor...he would be excellent, because he's quite good but I'm not sure about him either.

How about this out of left field....Robert Pattinson. Yeah...Twilight and those movies are terrible. But he was excellent in Water for Elephants, and I think he could pull the role off pretty well.

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

MCU Nick Fury is black because the character is inspired by the incarnation from the Ultimate Marvel continuity, who was modeled after Samuel L. Jackson himself (Marvel asked permission for his likeness and everything). Taking a chance doesn't have much to do with it at all.

Took a chance in the comics, rather. Black Fury happened in 2000, and looked nothing like Jackson. But changing the character in the comics to use Jackson's likeness after the films came about was brilliant.

[djakrse]

Originally Posted by camper

Well, if they do decide to go with a black man I would seriously hope they consider Denzel Washington. Though I worry he may be too old for the role.

That's a good suggestion, he definitely has ability, but would he be willing to be all *gestures with arms in the air* magical? Still, I prefer not changing characteristics myself.

I'm not sure about Benedict Cumberbatch though. He's a fantastic actor, but I just can't see it.

Can't see it? He could certainly play the role of the early character well, and I think he'd be game for *gestures with arms in the air* magical stuff. He also has the voice for spells and an air of authority that would rival RDJ. It's funny, at first I thought you were saying Cumberbatch was trying to make his voice sound deeper.

How about this out of left field....Robert Pattinson. Yeah...Twilight and those movies are terrible. But he was excellent in Water for Elephants, and I think he could pull the role off pretty well.

I only know him from Harry Potter and Twilight unfortunately. Isn't he too young? I'm not sure he would look good with the beard. I suppose he'd also be up for *gestures with arms in the air* magic, but maybe not quite the air of authority to command respect? I read somewhere he'd have to be able to command his own authority in a room with RDJ. Not exactly sure why that would be though.

[camper]

Originally Posted by djakrse

That's a good suggestion, he definitely has ability, but would he be willing to be all *gestures with arms in the air* magical? Still, I prefer not changing characteristics myself.

Agreed, I'd rather it be as close to the original source as possible.

Can't see it? He could certainly play the role of the early character well, and I think he'd be game for *gestures with arms in the air* magical stuff. He also has the voice for spells and an air of authority that would rival RDJ. It's funny, at first I thought you were saying Cumberbatch was trying to make his voice sound deeper.

Cumberbatch's voice is why I can't see it. It's too distracting; its more of a villainous voice IMHO.

I read somewhere he'd have to be able to command his own authority in a room with RDJ. Not exactly sure why that would be though.

IMHO, it's the job of the writers to write that "command of authority" into the character, the actor's job to perform it, and the directors job to make sure both are done well.

If RDJ is 'taking over' the set, then that's a problem that needs to be corrected. Besides, whoever they cast in a stand alone movie will have that film under their belt, and the commanding presence will be fleshed out before they get into the next film with RDJ.

[djakrse]

Originally Posted by camper

IMHO, it's the job of the writers to write that "command of authority" into the character, the actor's job to perform it, and the directors job to make sure both are done well.

If RDJ is 'taking over' the set, then that's a problem that needs to be corrected. Besides, whoever they cast in a stand alone movie will have that film under their belt, and the commanding presence will be fleshed out before they get into the next film with RDJ.

Still, if everyone does their job right, not just anyone can own that performance. Dr. Strange has dealings with the most powerful beings in the universe. He's a genius, has taken the reigns throughout his life, he is a man of utmost confidence and power, and changed his outlook from being self-centered to using his vast knowledge for good. You need a person of strong character to handle this role. Maybe Pattinson is literally too nice of a guy to be able to handle that and we need someone who sounds slightly villainous.

When I said hold his own with RDJ, I meant someone who can grab a scene as he can. There was several points in CATWS, where Chris Evans is standing face to face with SLJ, discussing how SHIELD operates, slightly above the law, where cap has to speak his distrust of what they do, how they do it, and SLJ tells him he "needs to get with the program." That was impressive for me, because he was literally standing in front of SLJ and telling him he disagreed.... er, with Nick Fury.

[Walts Ghost]

Benedict Cumberbatch To Play ‘Doctor Strange’

EXCLUSIVE: Marvel has finally found its Doctor Strange. I’m hearing Benedict Cumberbatch is in final negotiations for the superhero pic. The news comes after talks with Joaquin Phoenix around the time of Comic-Con went south, and Marvel went back to the drawing board. With names like Jared Leto and Tom Hardy also in the mix, this is obviously a big job.

Cumberbatch is in the Oscar hunt this year for The Imitation Game, the Alan Turing biopic that the Weinstein Co is priming for a November 21 release. His hot streak has included winning the Emmy for playing Sherlock Holmes on the BBC/PBS hit Sherlock.

Phoenix never had a deal, and Marvel quickly got into it with other actors to play Doctor Strange in a free-standing film.

Scott Derrickson is directing Doctor Strange and Jon Spaihts is writing the script for the pic (the first draft was penned by Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer). Doctor Strange was hatched by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko during that Marvel Comics heyday of the early 1960s. He’s a neurosurgeon who becomes Sorcerer Supreme, protecting Earth against magical and mystical threats with powers of sorcery, mysticism, and martial arts. Marvel’s Kevin Feige is producing.

Deadline

[Comicman494]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

Deadline

F***. My love for Marvel and my belief in their casting will prevail, but I'm disappointed.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Comicman494

F***. My love for Marvel and my belief in their casting will prevail, but I'm disappointed.

I don't know know why anyone is surprised at this point. This rumor goes back well over a year when he was actually in the offices at Marvel talking about a mystery role. Cumberbatch is a fantastic actor, and I'm happy to see someone of his caliber taking on the role. He's just the face Marvel needs to give the audience recognition, but at the same time being someone who can completely disappear into the role. It's a smart move, in my opinion.

[Pounder]

Very safe pick. Not sure how I feel about it just yet.

[cinemaphile]

I'm very disappointed in this pick

I never understood the love for Cumberbatch. He's decent in some stuff, but I don't like him for Strange at all.

[Elandyll]

If confirmed (they say it's still in negociations) it's a good catch by Marvel I think

While I might not be a fan of Cumberbatch (yet, but I haven't seen him in too many things), he definitely is a strong actor.

[Goldensuitcase]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

I'm very disappointed in this pick

I never understood the love for Cumberbatch. He's decent in some stuff, but I don't like him for Strange at all.

$100 says you won't be saying this after the film is released.

[sxerunner]

I could do a backflip I'm so elated

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

The Ultimate comics started in 2000, so it wasn't something they planned for anything in the future; they just thought it'd be fun.

It was more like, "let's put Nick Fury at the end of Iron Man to tease the Avengers, and let's make him Ultimate Nick Fury since he already looks like SLJ!"

Considering Ultimate Nick Fury was modeled after SLJ that does make sense to cast SLJ in that role