Marvel is Considering a Dr. Strange Movie

Posted on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 by Peter Sciretta

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige told MTV News that Dr. Strange is on the short list of comic properties that they will explore after The Avengers hits the big screen.

“Very much so,” Feige said. “I’d say in the next year, year and a half, as we start putting together our film slate for 2012 and 2013, I would not be shocked if we saw Dr. Strange on those lists. I love the idea of taping into the magical realm of the Marvel Universe, which is fairly significant and hasn’t yet seen life on screen. It’s something I’m very, very interested in.”

To me, Dr. Strange has always been a C-level Marvel property. He’s like a DC character stuck in the Marvel universe. Whenever he shows up in one of the stories I’m reading, I’m immediately turned off. Dr. Strange’s magical powers are endless, and I usually like my superhero stories to be grounded in a realistic world (which probably explains my addition to Vertigo imprint books). For example, Strange’s appearance in Kevin Smith’s Daredevil, which is a flawless story arc aside from the Strange appearance. That said, I’ve never given a stand along Dr. Strange book a fair read, but I somehow doubt my opinion would change about the character.

Discuss: Should Marvel make a Dr. Strange Movie? Really?

Comments

ANGRY BROOMSTICK

I'm sick of superhero movies, to tell u the truth.

Eric Kimberly

I'm definitely sick of superhero movies too.

The only Doctor Strange comic I've read is Doctor Strange: The Oath, by Y: The Last Man writer Brian K. Vaughan. It's a very good comic in my opinion.
http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Strange-Oath-New-A...

Ghost

I wouldn't mind it. I liked how he got beat in World War Hulk and then summoned Zom. I think it would be interesting special effects wise for sure. And not all comic book movies have to come out like comic book flicks. Dark Knight was very noirish and heist like then your stand super hero theme. So if they change them up they could work in other pre existing genres with their own twists.

Reason

I gotta agree. When reading Marvel comics, Dr. Strange was always the Deus Ex Machina.

In other words, he always fucked the story up with all his magical bullshit. He just never fit in the Marvel Universe, and I gotta say, the quote in the OP, "feels like a DC character stuck in the Marvel Universe" is spot on.

Get ready for the next "Ghost Rider" people.

supremespleen

Doc Strange kicks ass. I'm looking forward to a badass Strange flick.

kip

I always dug strange, certain writers know how to write him and some don't. I think Vaughn figured it out pretty well. I agree when someone writes him with unlimited power it's kinda annoying, but when the reigns are put on he's great. When he's used as the doc of all trades in the universe he's great. His back story is interesting. So like every project in hollywood, if it's handled right it'll be great.

Trail-Mix Bandit

I've enjoyed Doc Strange comics in that past... but cant see this coming to fruition. Nolan has recreated the world superheroes live in, and Doc Strange doesn't make the cut. I think Marvels success will derive from their ability to place their characters in more realistic settings.
Also, i cant picture the Thor flick working out... just saying

Hendo

Peter, you should check out Marvel's animated Dr. Strange movie that came out at the end of last year. They do a very good job at limiting the power of someone who is supposed to have limitless power. They also do a very good job of blending the mystical side of the marvel universe with the rest of it. The only analogy I can make is like in Hellboy, the mystical/fantasy side is present but hardly anyone sees that it's there.

Marvin

His origin story is pretty cool but beyond that I don't know. He's better as a side player in a larger story

Kip Mooney

I heard once upon a time that Guillermo was doing this. Only then would I be that excited. I'd still rather see this than Ghost Rider 2 or another Daredevil movie.

Captain Awesome

Dr. Fate > Dr. Strange

lancelewis

Peter, what do you mean Dr Strange ruins the reality based designs of the comics? his appearance (along with mephisto's magical goodness) in "Spider-Man: One More Day" was totally realistic. it didnt ruin the story or destroy 20 years worth of continuity at all...

MikeLo45

The "SPider-man: One More Day" storyline put an end to me buying and reading new comics. What a load of crap! Easy way out for the stupid idea of unmasking spider-man. I still read and collect, but silver and bronze books (some golden age).

miggy

yeah he's an odd character but he certainly isn't ghost rider (ugh). could be cool for an actor too. his backstory is really interesting. someone sign up an actor like leo dicaprio or jon hamm to do this five years from now and the film could actually be quite good.

Michael

ugh...whatever

Rory S

As long as there's a good director and writer, a Doctor Strange film will work. I'd like to see Hugh Laurie in the role.

Vile82

How about a series about the marvel universe, least great heroes?

Enrique

I've heard talk about a Dr. Strange movie since the last 90s. Wake me when something actually happens.

goro

As a kid, i liked the Dr Strange v Dormmamu stuff. Other than that, i just don't remember anything, so it goes to show how much stuck with me.

Doing a Dr Strange movie just for the sake of making yet another Marvel franchise movie is not going to work. This one is going to be a hard-sell anyway and if it's not great, forget it.

Sheriff Dewey

Of course they should! Dr. Strange would be awesome! You know, Iron Man was once considered a B/C level Marvel property, but with a great script, a visionary director and top-notch actors they made it happen. They can do the same with Strange.

Baron Von Cheddar

If they plugged into the horror / supernatural end of Dr Strange rather than make it a battle of sorcerors it could be quite good.

Anti-Septic

Ok, Dr. Strange is the most complex character in the Marvel Universe! It is very hard to write good stories for a character that can alter time and reality.

There was a decent, not great made for TV movie of Doctor Strange (1978), starring Peter Wooten and Jessica Walter. You young guys probably have never seen it. Pretty cheesy special effects, low budget. But the actors were at least good.

I for one would love to see a big budget Doc Strange movie, only if the script is good.

Kyle

Cast and hire the awesome actor from The Pianist in the role of Dr. Strange - what's his name again?

Dr. Strange would be a great stand-alone - don't make a sequel or really connect it with the other marvel products - movie. It is a great origin story about a flawed yet redeemable man who eventually learns what is important in life.

I don't think that Dr. Strange would be a "typical" Marvel movie, but if they're going to do Thor and do justice to the character arc I think there's a place for Dr. Strange that will bring in the box office.

Michael

I have always been a sucker for the quirky outsider, and Dr. Strange certainly qualifies. I think he would be a great movie but then I would love to see a Green Arrow or Martian Manhunter movie, or better yet, Hawkman! What about Green Lantern?

ninjaspeak

I would love an origin story for Doc Strange.

Perfect person for the part?

Johnny Depp. Easily.

greg basore

Strange is one of the classic characters that has an appealing back ground and compelling purpose. While the special effects on Iron Man were great what really made the movie work was the redemptive element of an arms manufacturer trying to atone for the harm he'd caused. If a Dr. Strange movie focused on the redemptive aspect of Stephen Strange trying to heal his spirit after years spent as an arrogant prick that would be something audiences could relate to.

Webster

I don't understand why they need a movie for each of the other characters in the Avengers anyway, instead of spending all that money on making the other characters films which could (as shown by the large distane for Dr.Strange) go completely wrong and be like the first 'Hulk' movie, and everyone getting pissy, they could just have the team 'assembled' all but for the last member (although it would have been better if that was iron man but they have obviously already recruited him as shown in the new hulk film). That way you wouldn't need to introduce the other characters as much, maybe just give them an intro or something, like a scene saying 'you've all been chosen because...then go through each character saying why while showing a scene of them doing something kwl. I know that sucks in a way but its better than releasing a film for every character, it would just get annoying. It could be that all the members are assembled and then they are introduced to their leader, que scene with cap america being defrosted, bang, not as many intros needed, you could even have one say hey i've herdof you, you're that guy...Beats having a bad film for every character, although the Cap A could be good.

bedeviler

If you do not like the mystical side of Marvel then Ghost Rider must be horrible as well. I have been a Dr. Strange fan for 0ver 30 years.... closer to 40 in all truth. As long as they do him correctly and do not make him all powerful, because he is not, then with the tech now for the special effects it should turn out well. As with all comics it depends on the writer and artist on how well the characters are done and how well they stay true to what has been gone before. But that is my opinion.

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