Honestly, at this point, if you’re an A-list actor and haven’t been name-dropped in association with Marvel’s upcoming Doctor Strange, it’s time to get a new agent. As the superhero-centric studio continues to search for a recognizable star to cast in the role of the Sorcerer Supreme, Ryan Gosling recently became the latest actor to emerge as a potential candidate.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gosling has met with Marvel Studios to discuss starring in the tentpole. Doctor Strange is not the only project that the in-demand star has been eyeing, however – Warner Bros. is courting him to star in the David Ayer-directed Suicide Squad, which is up next for that studio after Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Gosling has also been offered the title role in Summit’s The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero. So, as per usual, which part the actor ends up landing is completely up to him.
Unfortunately, there’s one key aspect of Doctor Strange that may cause Gosling to drop out of the running. In casting the Sorcerer Supreme, Marvel is certainly looking for an actor who can sign a multi-film deal and appear in sequels, but Gosling has shown his reluctance to sign such contracts in the past. Previously, the actor was interested in playing Hal Jordan in Green Lantern, but when the contract laid out for that film required committing to multiple movies, Gosling backed away and left the part to Ryan Reynolds.
In any case, Gosling is far from the only actor to be named as a contender for the part of Doctor Strange. Just yesterday, a new shortlist, purportedly containing Marvel’s top choices for the gig, was released by Variety, including Matthew McConaughey, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jared Leto, Oscar Isaac, Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke.
All of those stars are immensely talented, charismatic actors, and it would be thrilling to see any of them take on the role. However, just because Marvel wants one of those six, that doesn’t mean that the studio is going to get any one of them. After all, they’re all highly in-demand and may opt for less time-heavy commitments. Until Marvel officially announces an actor for the part, all we’ve got is speculation.
Doctor Strange, directed by Scott Derrickson, is expected to open on July 8th, 2016. Who would you like to see land the role?
