I think he's great in that role. He has a smooth coolness about him. And I'm glad he doesn't have the English accent. English accents can sometimes sound...prissy or snobby. With the American accent, he just sounds cool. The English accent would have ruined the character, IMO.
shareI recenty saw a video on collider or one of those other Screen Junkies clones. They were talking about how Joaquin Phoenix rejected the role because he didn't want to sign a multi-picture contract and how great he would have been. Was he really first choice before Cumberbatch? He would have been terrible in the role. I already can't imagine anyone else other than Cumberbatch in the role. He is perfectly cast.
I agree that making him American was a good call. I think he was originally English in the comics. For a start, you can't make millions being a surgeon in England. But yeah, it would also have made him sound more pompous than arrogant.
Strange has always been American.
shareHe could have been a Brit living in America. I agree he was perfect for the role and I'm looking forward to Dr. Strange 2 more than any other MCU movie at this point.
share"Doctor Strange 2" is the second-most anticipated Marvel movie in my personal book, after "Guardiands of the Galaxy 3", with my boo Thor.
I thought that Cumberbatch nailed it. The surgeon's odd combination of dedication and arrogance, the high intelligence, the slight accent of a sophisticated New Yorker, and the natural skepticism of a man with a top STEM education changing to total belief in the weirdness. I doubt Phoenix would have been as good.
Is another one being planned? I certainly hope so, I feel I haven't had nearly enough of this character.
shareI've heard that "Doctor Strange 2" is being made, and BTW it has its own Moviechat board. "GotG3" has been on and off, last I heard it's on again.
shareYeh GOTG3 is back on with James Gunn when he's done with the Suicide Squad sequel I believe. It took me 3 views to really like the first Doctor Strange but I love it now and can't wait to see more.
shareI adored "Doctor Strange" at first sight, particularly seeing it in 3D in a theater! It was like an LSD trip without the brain damage! And it's still a fun movie after several viewings, and the actors are good enough to put over a story that's really rather silly. But it works.
I've dealt with top surgeons, both professionally and as a patient (I wouldn't be here without a really good one), and IMHO Cumberbatch absolutely nailed their weird combination of dedication and chilliness.
And I love GOTG, and I love Thor. I'm definitely buying tickets there!
I don't believe it has ever been implied, even in the slightest, most subtle fashion, that Stephen Strange was British.
shareI remember it was pins and needles there for a few days waiting to see for sure if Phoenix was going to sign on as Strange. He might not have necessarily been their absolute first choice, but he was definitely in line before Cumberbatch. I think news broke the very next day after Phoenix declined that Cumberbatch had the role, so he was ready to sign on pretty much right away. I think we can all thank our lucky stars that it happened that way. I agree that Phoenix would have been absolutely terrible.
shareI remember that they were chasing Cumberbatch for about 2 years and they had to reschedule the shooting of Doctor Strange because it conflicted with other commitments he had. I don't remember anything about Phoenix.
shareHe's my favorite Avenger, because of Cumberbatch
He really should be taking over the role that Tony Stark occupied. Just like stark he's brilliant and witty, but also arrogant and egotistical. But he's also very powerful and makes for a natural leader
Too bad that they will be using that piece of cardboard Brie Larson as the "leader" of the Avengers, just because chick power
I think maybe part of what makes his role so good is...he’s not over-exposed, like Tony Stark was. I say this though, with less frame of reference than most. I didn’t see the Dr. Strange stand-alone movie (yet). In fact, my first introduction to his character was in Infinity War. And I remember thinking: This guy is maybe the COOLEST Avenger there is! I’m sure he could carry a movie, but I’m guessing he has more mystique in small doses. Plus, a character with that much power should only be used sparingly. Just my opinion. In any case...perfect casting.
shareI think Cumberbatch has the right role, and shouldn't be playing Tony Stark, if Stark is ever played again.
For one thing, he doesnt have the unforced charm and humor that gets people to forgive Stark so much. And he does project the obsessive dedication of a top surgeon or Sorceror Supreme, which, well, gets people to forgive him a lot. Cumberbatch is very good at projecting the kind of mental laser focus you need in a Strange or Holmes, which is pretty rare in an actor, while Stark's energy is scattered all over the place. Downey was terrific at that, playing someone whose mind is constantly skipping from inventing to world-saving to personal life to something else, and back again.
I tell you, the Marvel casting people know what they're doing.
Doctor Strange is honestly my favorite of the origin films and a lot of that has to do with Cumberbatch's performance. I feel I've been waiting forever foe Doctor Strange 2.
shareI’m another one who agrees he is fantastic.
He is my favorite of the new heroes. He totally won me over with his first solo film.
I agree it's great casting. He looks and acts like an intelligent and sophisticated doctor. I don't know if that's anything to do with associating him with the role of Sherlock Holmes he had before hand, but I think it's also on account of him being a well spoken British actor with a theatrical background. Phoenix doesn't give off that same aura about him.
shareAgreed, perfect casting! As a comic collector I was never a big fan of Dr Strange, but love the screen version.
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