Marvel Echoes Fan Demand..Benedict Cumberbatch In Final Talks For DOCTOR STRANGE

It's looks like Marvel's exhausting search is over. Variety is confirming that Benedict Cumberbatch is in final talks for the role of Doctor Strange. While his commitments to the next series of Sherlock and a play in London seemingly put him out of the running. The studio apparently is trying to work something out with him. Benedict had always been in the running, ever since the first group of candidates was reported on by trades. Having connections to both Star Trek and Hobbit franchises greatly helped his chances with awareness to international audiences. Not to mention the current awards buzz for his performance in The Intimidation Game, as legendary computer pioneer/code breaker Alan Turing. Fans have been asking for Cumberbatch to be consider way before the casting process even started. So, I'm sure that had some impact on who Marvel went after.

Production was expected to begin in the spring, around the same time as Captain America 3. However, since Cap 3 is shooting stateside Strange would be heading to the UK. The official date for Strange hasn't been announced, but it's expected to be July 2016. Marvel is setting up some sort of event for Tuesday, it's possible this will be the announcement made there. Scott Derrickson is directing with a new script from Jon Spaihts (Prometheus).

Strange is expected to be a huge role for the Marvel universe, chatter suggests that Stephen Strange will eventually replace Tony Stark as the face of the franchise.

SOURCE: VARIETY 

Marvel Wants Benedict Cumberbatch And Tom Hardy For DOCTOR STRANGE

It was recently confirmed that Scott Derrickson (Sinister) would be directing Doctor Strange for Marvel. While the casting was currently a bit of mystery on it's own. The likes of Johnny Depp, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jon Hamm, and Jared Leto were rumored to be in the mix or at least considered. New names are being added that group, and one being a major fan favorite.

According to Deadline, Marvel has others also in mind for the casting of Doctor Strange. They report that Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Hobbit, Star Trek Into Darkness, War Horse, ) and Tom Hardy (Inception, Dark Knight Rises, Bronson) could take roles in the film, and are on a studio casting wish-list. It's unknown if both are wanted for the same role, or are being paired together for the feature. Ben and Tom have a bit of a history together, working in television and even on film projects like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Benedict Cumberbatch has been a fan favorite for the role of Stephen Strange for years now, and there was even rumors he had previously met with Marvel about a role. While he's on a "list" nothing is too solid, but it does sound like he turned down a Star Wars role for something bigger.

Unlike Cumberbatch, Hardy has a lot more on his plate. He's already signed-up for the lead in Dough Liman's Splinter Cell movie and could have another franchise on his hands with Mad Max: Fury Road coming out next summer. I think it's less likely we'll see Hardy chosen, but the actor is a workaholic and loves taking-on genre work.

I also wouldn't be shocked if Marvel is looking to pair the two together in the film, casting one as the villain and the other Stephen Strange. It's hard to say which one could be the hero/villain, as they have plenty experience playing both kinds of characters.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

SPECULATION: ANT-MAN Script Is Done And Could Benedict Cumberbatch Be In The Running For The Lead?

Edgar Wright confirms to DigitalSpy that Ant-Man script he co-wrote with Joe Cornish (Attack The Block) is finally completed. It's expected that casting will be underway soon with the release of World's End on the horizon. Edgar will likely begin production as soon as Guardians completes it's UK production. As previously rumored that Ant-Man would need extra post-production for the effects-heavy film. Giving enough time to get the special effects right for it's November 2015 release date. It's expected that Ant-Man will begin shooting before Avengers 2, so casting could be already underway over in the UK. We've heard previously names like Armie Hammer, Bradley Cooper, Joel Edgerton and Nathan Fillion being linked before, but I have an idea who might actually be already in mind (yet, not announced by outlets). 

While nothing has exactly concretely linked Benedict Cumberbatch to Ant-Man in previous reports, he's been on Marvel's radar for a while. Ben has a large international following which would be needed to give Ant-Man the giant promotional push it would need to get audiences excited for the new property. He also has previous history of working with a high volume of Marvel alumni such as Tom Hiddleston/Loki (War Horse),  Scarlett Johansson/Black Widow (The Other Boleyn Girl), Natalie Portman/Jane Foster (The Other Boleyn Girl), Toby Jones/Zola (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy/Amazing Grace), Anthony Mackie/Falcon (Fifth Estate), Dominic Cooper/Howard Star (Starter For 10), Rebecca Hall/ (Starter For 10), James McAvoy/Charles Xavier (Atonement), Michael Fassbender/Magneto (12 Years A Slave), Scarlet Witch hopeful Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) and almost Iron Man 3 actress Jessica Chastain (Crimson Peak). Below are few more tidbits linking him to both Edgar Wright and the production. 

Edgar quietly revealed shooting an action sequence in Star Trek Into Darkness (pictured above) which had people thinking it was Ant-Man or Iron Man 3 related (which it wasn't). The scene in question was John Harrison (Cumberbatch) and the Enterprise crew facing a unit of Klingons in a heated battle scene. Marvel has been gaga over actors from J.J. Abrams' Star Trek franchise. Hiring Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Zoe Salanda (Gamora in Guardians of The Galaxy) for lead roles, while Chris Pine and Alice Eve have been linked for tests.

Edgar and Joe Cornish have previously worked with Sherlock creator/show runner Steven Moffatt on Peter Jackson's The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of The Unicorn. Ben and Martin Freeman just happen to star in that series. Wright is also friends with Peter Jackson who produced the film (expected to direct it's sequels) who directs both Ben and Martin in the Hobbit Trilogy.

Ben's Sherlock and Hobbit co-star Martin Freeman is close friends with Edgar taking roles in his cornetto trilogy (Shaun of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and a leading role in The World's End).

Ben visited Edgar during the editing of World's End, which is rumored to be the same time he's quietly taking early meetings with potential actors for Ant-Man.

Steven Moffatt and Benedict visited the Marvel offices to do an interview about Sherlock. Before leaving he playfully posed with Avengers cut-outs, a possible hint to his future? At the time everyone thought this meant he was going to play Strange.

Benedict Cumberbatch And Steven Moffat Visit Marvel Studios

Marvel has posted a string of images of Benedict Cumberbatch and Steven Moffat visiting Marvel Studios. The Sherlock actor had long been rumored to be in talks with Marvel for a possible starring role in a future film. Originally he was linked to Doctor Strange which had it's script put out to directors last August, so it's very possibly that's the film they're looking to cast him in. Ben was given a tour of Marvel's office and comic department, possibly getting a ton of comic book goodies. Along with a room that may or may not have concept artwork for a Marvel movie.

Cumberbatch has been getting a lot of attention for his recent supporting roles in films like War Horse and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Not to mention his high profile villain role as Khan in the upcoming Star Trek sequel. Steven Moffat's involvement here could mean that they might be looking for him to write or direct a film as well. Moffat is the creative mind behind Sherlock and the reboot of Doctor Who, not to mention his very successful sitcom Coupling. He also worked with Ant-Man writers Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish on the script for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of The Unicorn. All signs are pointing to Doctor Strange as it seems a project Moffat and Cumberbatch could easily pull off.