Joaquin Phoenix Finalizing Deal To Lead Marvel's DOCTOR STRANGE?

Collider reports that Marvel Studio is currently in final talks with Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix (Her, The Master, Gladiator, Inherent Vice) to take the lead role in Doctor Strange. I guess we'll hear actually confirmation soon, since pre-production is expected to begin this fall/winter. There are a few skeptics in the community that believe that Phoenix could still turn-down the role. LatinoReview has word that deal isn't quite finalized, but still in-the-works.

I'm curious if we'll see any of the other "linked" actors such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Jack Huston, Tom Hardy and Jared Leto join the project in villainous/supporting roles.

SOURCE: COLLIDER

Mars Crain Making Promo Video For His Campaign To Play Marvel's LUKE CAGE

Actor Mars Crain (Hancock, Key And Peele, Inherent Vice) has taken advice from comedian Jordan Peele and put his hat into the ring to play Mavel's Luke Cage. Peele suggested on his twitter account that Crain should take the role, which is currently being eyed for Marvel's wave of Netflix shows. Cage would get his own solo series, with possible cameos in the other shows before teaming-up for the Defenders mini-series. We've heard others like Terry Crews, Idris Elba and Isaiah Mustafa (also put out a teaser video) speak-to wanting the role as well. Mars has shot his own promo reel for the role, which is expected to hit social media soon. The announcement included a teaser image of Crain as Power Man.

Scott Adkins campaigned for the role of Bruce Wayne in Batman Vs Superman, which in-turn led to a meeting with Zack Snyder (confirmed by Scott). At the very least this end-up with Marvel taking a look at Crain for the Cage role, or future ones. It's possible Mars could get a little more attention as he's taken a role in Paul Thomas Anderson's next film Inherent Vice. Luke Cage is expected to be the last series shot before Defenders, so Marvel will likely have plenty of time to cast the role. It should be noted that the studio wouldn't need massively well-known names for their Netflix series, as they would with their films.

@JordanPeele and thank once again for the support and inspiring me to shoot my own teaser for Luke Cage. pic.twitter.com/Sy9j0icrHt
— Mars Crain (@marscrain) April 30, 2014

SOURCE: TWITTER

Charlize Theron In The Running To Join Robert Downey Jr. In Paul Thomas Anderson's INHERENT VICE

Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master turned out to have mixed reviews and audience/awards reception. The director is moving forward with his next project that could be more commercially successful which based on Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice. It's being confirmed by Showbiz411 that Robert Downey Jr. will star in the film along with the addition of Oscar winner Charlize Theron among the actresses (more names on their way) in the mix for the female lead. Theron recently wrapped production on George Miller's Mad Max Fury Road that stars Tom Hardy.

Robert Downey Jr. Takes Interest In Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice

Deadline reports that Robert Downey Jr. is interested in Paul Thomas Anderson's (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) adaptation of the novel Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon. The film follows Larry "Doc" Sportello, a private eye based in Los Angeles in the late 1960s. He's a believer in the psychedelic free-love era, and his case involves an ex-girlfriend, her real estate billionaire boyfriend and a kidnapping.

This news means it's not looking good for Anderson's Scientology drama The Master. That project had some interest from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeremy Renner and Reese Witherspoon. It's likely the touchy subject of Scientology could have been too controversial for Paramount. Anyhow, I'm on board for anything Anderson wants to make. Yet this new project sounds slightly more interesting to me.

While Vice might be next for Anderson, Downey has a few commitments with Marvel first. He'll be shooting Avengers in April and for most of the the summer.  I expect it will be less of a workload than Iron Man 3 which could shoot during or after Avengers. There has been lots of reports of Downey being interested in projects but ending up turning them down. Just a few include Gravity and Oz, The Great & Powerful. It sounds promising seeing these two work together but nothing is for sure yet.