Back when Marvel was still casting Doctor Strange, many suggested someone like Oded Fehr would be great doe the role. However, director Scott Derrickson only had one person in mind—Benedict Cumberbatch. In a new behind-the-scenes clip, he explained how Cumberbatch was always his first choice. “Benedict was the first actor I met with and after that meeting,we’re like, ‘Let’s do it!'” he said. I’d like to point out Derrickson may have been suffering from the “Cumbers Bumber Wumbers,” which Simon Pegg eloquently breaks down here (at the 3: 10 mark).
The part almost fell through because Benedict was attached to play Hamlet at the National Theater in London. Despite looking elsewhere, filmmakers were set on bringing him in so they pushed production back six months to accommodate his schedule. Yeah, they really wanted him. With the role secured, Benedict dedicated himself to delivering the best Doctor Strange he could, as seen in the second clip.
Thankfully, Chiwetel Ejiofor was right there whipping him into shape, so to speak. The two previously worked together on Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave.
Doctor Strange centers on an arrogant neurologist named Stephen Strange who permanently injures his hands in a horrific car accident. Unable to operate again, he turns to mystical teachings before taking on the mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme. However, with inter-dimensional play comes serious threats and it’s up to him to protect our reality from such forces. Alongside Cumberbatch and Ejiofor, the film also stars Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Benedict Wong and Mads Mikkelsen.
The film is out on Blu-ray now.
(image via screencap)
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