RUMOR: Marvel Looking At Ewan McGregor For DOCTOR STRANGE Role?

Marvel might have their ducks-in-a-row for Captain America 3's spring production. However, the same can't be said for Doctor Strange which is expected to be shooting in spring as well. Joaquin Phoenix recently exited talks to play Stephen Strange, and Marvel had to go back to searching for an actor. While it seems like director Scott Derrickson (Sinister) is ready to begin shooting the new script from Jon Spaihts (Prometheus).

Names like Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy and Jared Leto had been linked by trades previously. ThisIsInfamous has been trying to link actors like Ethan Hawke, Jon Hamm, and Jack Huston as "sure-bets" for the role, but are obviously making stories up. Considering none of these names have ever been brought-up by any of the usual scoopers. Interviewers are trying to get Keanu Reeves cast in the role, that isn't going to happen either.

Trusted/reputable site BadassDigest is giving us a real name to get behind. They are suggesting a rumor that Scottish actor Ewan McGregor (Star Wars Prequels, Trainspotting, Haywire, The Island) is preparing for the role and the studio is looking at him. Ewan was actually a fan-favorite for the Hank Pym role, which went to Michael Douglas. McGregor has international awareness thanks to Star Wars, he also has had a varied amount of action, comedic, dramatic and dark roles throughout his career.

He's previously worked with plenty of Marvel alumni. Those names include Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Gwenth Paltrow, Paul Bettany, Bill Paxton, Josh Brolin, Djimon Hounsou, Stanley Tucci and Christopher Eccleston. Marvel likes to cast actors familiar to them, and that have connections to existing cast members. He also has the same amount of "heat" Chris Pratt and Paul Rudd had when they were tapped to play Marvel leads. It wouldn't be entirely out of place for Marvel to consider Ewan for the part.











SOURCE: BADASSDIGEST

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

RUMOR ALERT! Jack Huston In The Mix For Marvel's DOCTOR STRANGE?

Boardwalk Empire's breakout actor Jack Huston (American Hustle) is now rumored to be in consideration for the lead role in Doctor Strange, according to ThisIsInfamous. We keep hearing news like this on a regular basis, new names are claimed to be front-runners, until new ones are added. I have a feeling he's on a list, like many of the others previously mentioned in trade reports. Actors such as Johnny Depp, Jon Hamm (apparently denies involvement), Jared Leto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy and Joaquin Phoenix have all been linked to the next Marvel franchise.

The studio has a tendency to hedge-their-bets, by looking at multiple actors for their new lead roles (similar thing happened with auditions for Steve Rogers and Peter Quill). Jack was actually a candidate for the Star-Lord role in Guardians, before Chris Pratt was ultimately hired. I don't doubt that Marvel would want to keep that short-list in consideration for other roles down-the-line.

He has a young-Johnny Depp (originally wanted for the role, years back) look to him, and is a bit younger than most of the other names previously linked. might be willing to take-on a lengthly Marvel contract. Jack could also be another diamond-in-the-rough story for Marvel. Considering the actor isn't entirely well known for his film work and could become a breakout star. Similar to Thor's Chris Hemsworth or Guardians of The Galaxy's Chris Pratt. We were a bit shocked when Paul Rudd was named as playing Scott Lang in Ant-Man, so anything could happen with Strange's casting. Let's just remember that Marvel meets with a bunch of actors, and this could be just another name among many.

Scott Derrickson (Sinister) is directing with a script from Jon Spaihts (Prometheus), production is expected to begin in the spring with a release date of July 8th, 2016.

SOURCE: THISISINFAMOUS

Stephen Strange Already Established As Sorcerer Supreme In Marvel's DOCTOR STRANGE?

A few comic book movie tropes are starting to fade-away, cheesy one-liners, horrible costumes and poorly done special effects. When it comes to revealing new heroes, we tend to see the classic "origin story" used. The main hero is normal (usually the first act or 20-30s of the film), but undergoes a massive transformation that finally gives us the hero in-action.

Marvel has been known to overlook this recent origin trope, by using exposition and flashbacks. We first saw this with the interesting flashbacks used in the opening sequence for The Incredible Hulk. Instead of rehashing Bruce Banner's origin in the reboot, we see him already on-the-run and hiding-out in Brazil. We kind of also saw this with Thor, as the god of thunder had previous adventures and is already wielding mjolnir. Again, this was done extremely well with Guardians as the trouble-makers were are already causing problems in the galaxy, just not as a group. Leaving a little mystery to the origins of our characters isn't always a bad thing, either.

According to Devin of BadassDigest, Marvel is finished with origin stories. This will likely effect Ant-Man as well, which will have the established hero (Pym) played by Michael Douglas hand-over the mantle to Scott Lang (Paul Rudd). A great way to skip a bulk of the movie just setting-up sequels (where we see the hero in full-form) and the final action piece.

He goes on to mention that we'll see Stephen Strange already the Sorcerer Supreme in Doctor Strange and that we won't have to spend a large portion of the film without him playing the hero. Along with screenwriter Jon Spaihts' (Prometheus) extensive page-one rewrite of the entire script. Meaning, that the original draft that was circling a while back, is getting completely scrapped from the project.

We still haven't had Marvel announce who will actually play our Stephen Strange. The actors who are reportedly in the mix include Benedict Cumberbatch (seemingly out of the running because of a play in London), Tom Hardy (Mad Max Fury Road, Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Bronson, Warrior, The Drop), Oscar winner Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club, Fight Club, Lord of War, Requiem For A Dream, American Psycho) and more recently three-time Oscar nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator, Her, The Immigrant, The Master, Inherent Vice, Walk The Line). I'm personally rooting for Hardy and Phoenix to get the role, since they have an extremely strong body of work.

The production start of Doctor Strange will begin in Spring 2015, with a release date of July 8th, 2016. Casting announcements are bound to begin very soon, as pre-production starts ramping-up.


SOURCE: BADASSDIGEST

RUMOR: Joaquin Phoenix Also In The Mix For Marvel's DOCTOR STRANGE

TheWrap reports another big name in the running for the role of Stephen Strange in Marvel's next franchise Doctor Strange. Three-time Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator, Her, The Immigrant, Walk The Line, is being linked for talks. You might remember Phoenix was linked for the role of Bruce Banner, just before Comic-Con 2011. Only, to have Mark Ruffalo announced as the new Banner on stage with his Avengers co-stars. This could be a giant misdirection, or we might actually see Joaquin join the MCU. Other actors linked for the role recently included Jared Leto, Tom Hardy and fan-favorite Benedict Cumberbatch. The latter has stated his engagement for Hamlet on the London stage, might be a giant conflict.

Jeff also believes that Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hardy won't be taking the gig. This sort of makes sense, since the pair are extremely busy with a steady stream of other fruitful projects. Nothing says they can't take other roles though, or even villainous ones down the line.

Last we heard, before the script rewrites from Jon Spaihts (Prometheus), villains Baron Mordo and Dormammu would be featured in the film. Considering Dormmannu will likely be another CGI motion capture hybrid character, either Hardy or Cumberbatch could end-up voicing the flame-headed baddie during the film's post-production process.

It's expected that Marvel will announce more information concerning Doctor Strange at Comic-Con, including it's release date and possibly it's lead actor as well. Since it's expected to begin shooting next spring, most likely in the UK.

SOURCE: THEWRAP

Warner Bros. To Decide On The Fate Of Akira Soon

ShowBlitz reports that the studio is going to be making to decision to greenlight their Akira adaptation or not. The project has had a long history of problems loosing two of it's directors and testing many actors but nothing came from it. Names like Michael Fassbender (First Class, Prometheus, 300), James McAvoy (First Class, Wanted), Andrew Garfield (Amazing Spider-Man, Social Network), Keanu Reeves (Matrix Trilogy, Point Break, Speed), Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy), Chris Pine (Star Trek 1-2, This Means War), Justin Timberlake (Social Network) and Joaquin Phoenix have been linked for testing.

Fans had been angry over the whitewash casting along with moving the location from Tokyo to Manhattan. It's budget was also too large likely since the whole movie is a gamble at this point. The studio wouldn't want to spend too much money if the fanbase isn't there. Last summer they gambled with high-concept Green Lantern which turned out to be a critical and financial blunder.

Madisen Beaty Joins Paul Thomas Anderson's Master

FilmStage has confirmed that young actress Madisen Beaty (Benjamin Button) has joined Paul Thomas Anderson's (Boogie Nights) The Master. The religious drama already stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Jesse Plemons, David Warshofsky, Laura Dern, Lena Endre and Rami Malek.

Amy Adams Joins Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master

Deadline reports three time Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams (Man of Steel, The Fighter, Doubt, Junebug) has nabbed the female lead in Paul Thomas Anderson's (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) The Master. It focuses on Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman), who returns from WWII and starts a religion not unlike Scientology, taking Freddie Sutton (Phoenix), a former alcoholic, under his wing. Amy has been cast as Dodd’s wife who acts as his caretaker and vigilant lieutenant.

The film stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Jesse Plemons (Friday Night Lights, Observe & Report), Lena Endre (Millennium Trilogy), David Warshofsky and Laura Dern (Wild At Heart). Originally the wife role had Reese Witherspoon attached along with Jeremy Renner for Sutton but it didn't work out. It starts production within the month so more casting announcements are expected.

Short-List Of Actors For Akira Revealed

Warner Bros. had previously hit some bumps when James Franco and Mila Kunis passed on Akira to make Oz, The Great & Powerful. They the hired Steve Kloves (Amazing Spider-Man, Harry Potter) screenwriter to rework the script and now have a short list of actors for the two leads. Deadline reports that the new script has been given to Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix for the role of Kaneda. Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy are up for the role of Tetsuo.

Garrett Hedlund and Andrew Garfield are my favorites for the leads. Hedlund recently stepped into the world of blockbuster leads with Tron Legacy which he turned down Captain America for. Andrew Garfield is another great name to have involved as part of the best movie of last year (Social Network) and becoming the new Spider-Man his star is quickly rising.

James McAvoy could also fit the role of Tetsuo nicely. Chris Pine and Michael Fassbender are likely busy with Star Trek 2 and Prometheus. While Robert Pattinson and Justin Timberlake will give an instant cringe factor to the fanbase. Joaquin Phoenix seems too creditable and a little too old for the film.

Joaquin Phoenix To Join Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?

Joaquin Phoenix "retired" from acting to focus on his rap career giving material for Casey Affleck's mockumentary I'm Still Here. Deadline reports that Phoenix could return to acting with a supporting role in Timur Bekmambetov's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Previously Joaquin Phoenix had been rumored to be in the running to be the new Bruce Banner in  The Avengers before Mark Ruffalo was cast. He would play Henry Sturges a vampire who trains Abe to kill evil vampires. Benjamin Walker is portraying a young Abe.

RUMOR: Joaquin Phoenix Offered Hulk Role?

CHUD is reporting that an offer has gone out to Joaquin Phoenix replacing Edward Norton as Bruce Banner in Avengers.

"Reliable sources tell me that Marvel has already put out an offer, and the actor they've spoken to is Joaquin Phoenix, believe it or not. Phoenix is taking time to mull over the offer and the bigger implications - Marvel may yet resurrect the Hulk franchise - but Marvel hopes to have him in place by Comic Con, which is when they want to announce their new Bruce Banner."