SPECULATION: Sam Raimi A Prime Candidate To Direct DOCTOR STRANGE?

Sam Raimi has recently confirmed that he has no plans to come back to direct the sequel to Oz, The Great And Powerful. Giving the impression he might only end up producing it, if that. This might allow him to consider other budding projects that could use from of the Raimi magic. One big project without a director is Marvel's new Phase Three feature Doctor Strange. The project has been all but given a release date by Marvel and could end up starting production sometime in 2015. Giving potential directors plenty of time to round out another feature before jumping into Strange. I haven't really attributed names that could do Strange justice besides Guillermo del Toro who is currently beyond busy with a massive amount of projects. Raimi actually could be perfect to create the world of Strange. Not to mention having deep Marvel roots already with his Spider-Man trilogy.

Sam Raimi clearly is on Marvel's radar completing a successful Marvel trilogy with his Spider-Man films. The latter installment not exactly heralded by fans, mainly due to it's rushed production and haphazard script (written at times while scenes were being shot). Raimi had even pursued Spider-Man 4 which was on the hinge of shooting but was ultimately cut over budgetary issues. Anne Hathaway was set for Black Cat and John Malkovich was going to play The Vulture. Sadly, the film never happened and Sam would walk from the Spidey franchise. He finally saw Amazing Spider-Man recently and said he loved it. Perhaps, healing ties with both Sony and Marvel? He's obviously a big fan of Spidey and Strange co-creator Steve Ditko, naming a supporting character after him (Peter's landlord Mr. Ditkovich). Also adding a hint to Stephen Strange in Spider-Man 2 as Joe's Pizza has a similar address of Mr. Strange.

During the early days of Spider-Man 4 there had been talk of Morbius being a possible addition to the villain roster. An interview while promoting Drag Me To Hell with Empire and a video interview with FearNet had the director talk about his interest in Morbius and vampires. Only Marvel's Kevin Feige can speak to this but Morbius might be back at Marvel as the Blade rights (including Tomb of Dracula) reverted back to them, when New Line Cinema failed to make more films. Morbius (fellow NYC doctor) was in the deleted ending to the original Blade and might not even be eligible for Spider-Man films. Director Stephen Norrington had originally planned on using Morbius as the villain in his sequel to Blade but it was ultimately changed when Guillermo del Toro signed on. Strange has fought vampires (most notably Dracula), werewolves (Werewolf By Night/Jack Russell) and demons previously. It would make sense to place Morbius (perhaps a villain turned ally?) and other characters like that within the Doctor Strange films. Sam likes the combination of superhero plus supernatural which is basically describes Strange as a concept. Having Strange start off fighting vampires could be way to hold off more powerful villains for future installments. Along with reintroducing Blade to audiences which Marvel seems to be keen on. I also wouldn't be shocked to see Morbius saved for a Blade reboot.

“I like it in the Marvel comics when Spider-Man fights Morbius,” said Raimi. “He’s really cool. A vampire! I like that combination of superhero plus supernatural.”

He still has comics on the brain as he was trying to put together a new version of the classic comic/pulp/radio supernatural anti-hero The Shadow which he had been developing before Oz. If Raimi was considered for Strange he would have enough time to complete a film like The Shadow before pre-production on Doctor Strange would need to begin in 2015. Avengers 2 and Ant-Man are due out in 2015 would could see Strange getting a late Summer or early Fall release in 2016. As it would make a perfect spooky Halloween adventure film. Raimi had previously been attached to Warcraft at WB which has since gone to Duncan Jones. Along with talk of Evil Dead 4 this week which turned out to be a joke Sam made. At this point besides a producing a few projects Raimi doesn't have much in the way of full length directing efforts.

His connection to Disney via Oz could be similar to how Joe Johnston (Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, The Rocketeer) ended up directing Captain America: The First Avenger. A bigger directing name than previous and current directors along with a couple of major hits under his belt (a bit of an understatement for Raimi). Johnston only made the first installment helping to flush out Cap's origins and setting up his mythos. Raimi could be a solid creative mind to setup the macabre/occult superhero within the MCU. He's already tackled magic in Oz not to mention dark laced humor with films like Drag Me To Hell and the Evil Dead franchise. Along with his more serious than usual supernatural thriller The Gift. Raimi certainly has a stronger following/fanbase than Guillermo (last person attached to direct Strange) and that could also be another factor to consider Sam for the job.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  COULD OR SHOULD SAM RAIMI DIRECT DOCTOR STRANGE? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW!

SPECULATION: Black Cat To Appear In Amazing Spider-Man 2?

There is speculation that we could finally see Spidey get a crime fighting partner in Amazing Spider-Man 2. In the new film's video game the infamous Black Cat comes into play and seems to give the impression that she will make an appearance in future films. Sony had been calling the shots with what made it in this connected game so the chances are good. This has led to rumblings online that Black Cat could be making her way into the sequel.

One of the biggest problems with the Spider-Man film mythology is that Parker ends up getting his ass handed to him by every villain. It would be fresh to see him finally partner up with one of the few other heroes in the Spidey universe. Considering a decent amount of characters in this world are at Sony's disposal but have yet to be used in the movies. Now that Marvel Studios has created their own Marvel universe it would be nice to see Sony attempt this with their Spider-Man characters. The few other heroes include Scarlet Spider/Kaine (clones of Peter Parker), Morbius The Living Vampire (rights could be with Marvel), mercenary Silver Sable, along with anti-heroes Scream and Venom (getting spin-off film).

Black Cat is the secret identity of New York socialite Felicia Hardy, who just happens to be a friend of Peter Parker and moonlights as a cat bugler. While she turns out to be a villain at first her new interest in Spidey makes her change sides to win his heart. Considering the limited amount of Marvel heroines in these films it would be a welcomed change to the cliched damsel in distress.

This isn't hard to believe since the character Felicia Hardy had been wanted for Sam Raimi's axed Spider-Man 4. io9 had word actresses such as Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes) and Romola Garai (Atonement, The Last Days of Mars) had been rumored for the role. Anne Hathaway had been cast in Spider-Man 4 as the daughter of The Vulture which might have been turned out her becoming Black Cat. Of course the film was scrapped and Anne ended up landing the role of Catwoman in the The Dark Knight Rises. Considering the ages of the new leads I'm sure if they do end up casting the role they might go a bit younger.

Updates

Christopher Waltz, who played the amazing and villainous Col. Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds, has joined Green Hornet. Waltz will be replacing Nicolas Cage as the villain. It's a great move by everyone involved. His massive success with winning best actor at Cannes and eventual Oscar nomination, could make the film more anticapted than if Cage was still attached.


Bruce Campbell has revealed that Spider-Man 4 will start shooting in January. He will also have a larger role in the film. Campbell has been featured in all three films, with minor but entertaining cameos. It's been rumored that he could end up playing a villain.


Jeffery Dean Morgan (Watchmen) has recently said he'd love to play DC Comics' Lobo, in the upcoming Guy Ritchie film. Dean Morgan was one of the actors who I had pegged for the role. He has also confirmed he has a role in the upcoming remake of Red Dawn.


The new Mad Max could be played by Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker, 28 Weeks Later). The actor has recently screen tested for the reboot/sequel. Mad Max 4: Fury Road was rumored to be animated but now seems to be live-action, for the better. George Miller the original director is attached and we could see the film in 3D.


There is also a rumor that Sam Worthington (Avatar, Clash of The Titans) could be up for the role of Captain Nemo in Disney's remake of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. This seems to make sense since director McG's connection with the actor from Terminator Salvation. Worthington seems to be a new breed of action star and could help give the project attention. Will Smith was originally in mind for the role but might end up joining Swiss Family Robinson instead.


As usual every week we hear a new Megan Fox casting rumor. This time the rumor is that she has joined the cast of Resident Evil 4: Afterlife. While I think it's a project she could gravitate to, it's unlikely. Also a while back she was rumored to be involved in Bond23, this seems more her style. Fox would make a better Bond girl than a second fiddle to Milla Jovovich fighting zombies.


Speaking of Resident Evil 4: Afterlife, Boris Kodjoe (Surrogates) has joined the cast. Boris used his Twitter account to announce his involvement."In Toronto meeting with the director of my new movie 'Resident Evil: Afterlife' Very exciting!!! Lots of stunts, shooting guns, monsters..."


Carla Gugino (Watchmen, Sin City), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Scott Glenn (Training Day) and Oscar Issac (Body of Lies) have joined Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch.