Ever since Iron Man roared onto the silver screen almost a decade ago, Marvel Studios has developed a lucrative knack of introducing relatively obscure characters to the moviegoing masses. Think Guardians of the Galaxy or even a lesser-known persona in the vein of Hawkeye.
That ability will be put to the sword once again with the release of Doctor Strange, Scott Derrickson’s mystical spinoff that is booked in for theatrical release in early November.
Given it stands as Marvel’s final superhero movie of the year, Doctor Strange enjoyed a strong showing at San Diego Comic-Con, when the company unleashed a brand new trailer on the vying masses crammed into Hall H. They weren’t the only ones taken aback, though, with Benedict Cumberbatch himself revealing to Empire that he was left astounded by the visual effects glimpsed in the sizzle reel.
“Some bits made me think, ‘Wow. God. That’s what I’m part of.’ You have conceptual art that they show you, but you only really realise what you’re part of at the end of the process. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the effects while we were shooting, because a lot of them were real elements, whether it was sets that make a room miniscule, or the costume designs.”
In terms of what drew him to Doctor Strange in the first place – aside from the character’s sense of resilience – the Sherlock star also told the outlet that, “the lure as an actor is the script, the director, Kevin [Feige], and talking about how to make a character written in the ‘60s and ‘70s relevant now. To make him slightly less arrogant. Arrogant, but also humorous.”
Benedict Cumberbatch will take point as Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme when Doctor Strange weaves his way into theaters on November 4. Below, you can catch a glimpse of the MCU newcomer in action on the cover of the latest issue of Total Film.
Doctor Strange follows the story of the talented neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a tragic car accident, must put ego aside and learn the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilizing a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the Marvel cinematic universe.
