One of the films we are most excited to see at the end of the year is Doctor Strange, which will introduce yet another popular Marvel character, and prominent member of the superhero squad.
The film will star Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange, as well as Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton and Benedict Wong.
As always we were left with a lot more questions and answers, and knowing that the San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) is where we find out all the juicy scoop, we have compiled a list of what we are burning to know:
1. Is Kaecilius the main villain?
Mads Mikkelsen’s character, Kaecilius has been marketed as the main villain in the film. Even those familiar with the comic book series would be forgiven if they don’t know much about Kaecilius who is not prominently featured. Kaecilius is a disciple or messenger for Mordo which makes us wonder if he’s really the straight-forward bad guy or if he is doing the dirty work for Mordo.
2. How will the mysticism that will be introduced in Doctor Strange factor into other Marvel films and series? Will time travel and teleportation have an effect on the other properties?
We have seen the ramifications of technologies and mythologies used in one aspect of Marvel properties in others – the infinity gems were mentioned everywhere, the microtechnology that Henry Pym used in Ant Man was mentioned in Agents of SHIELD, the vibranium from Wakanda was used in Avengers: Age of Ultron and to make Captain America’s SHIELD. But none of these are as powerful or open up the realm of possibilities as much as Doctor Strange’s mysticism which allows him to fly, discover evil magic, teleport, time travel, see into the future. This will come in handy with a lot of the conflicts currently happening and coming up in the future.
3. What role will Rachel McAdams be playing?
Rachel McAdams’ character was described as “a fellow surgeon of Strange…a lynchpin to his old life, once he steps into the role of a sorcerer. She is someone he connects with at the beginning, and reconnects with, and helps anchor his humanity”. She is very obviously also the main love interest for Cumberbatch’s character. The best suggestion thus far is that she will be playing Linda Carter, also known as the Night Nurse who helps to heal injured superheroes. A production spoiler about this is that Marvel were opposed to giving Rosario Dawson’s character, Claire Temple the moniker of Night Nurse in the Netflix shows as they were apparently saving this character for a film.
4. How will the rivalry between Mordo and Strange come into play?
Notoriously in the comics, Mordo and Strange are enemies, mainly because Mordo was the Ancient One’s original protege and he is passed over for Strange, also Mordo wants to usurp the Ancient One’s seat. From the marketing and information from the actors and producers it seems as if Mordo will be a lot more 3-dimensional in the film, but that does not necessarily mean he will be 100% on Strange’s side all the way through. Will they butt heads? Will it be a Thor vs. Loki like relationship?
5. Will we see any characters from the other Marvel properties?
Marvel likes to remind us that ‘it’s all connected’ especially with their little nods to their other properties (like The Falcon popping up in Ant-Man) . Even though Doctor Strange and his mysticism is so far removed from the rest of the characters, will we see one of the Avengers or Secret Avengers pop up in the film? Perhaps as a way to tie Doctor Strange into Avengers: Infinity Wars or to create some sort of bridge between the two?
Doctor Strange will be released in cinemas on November 4, 2016.
