The fact that Marvel Studios is looking to make a Doctor Strange film is the worst-kept secret in Hollywood. President of Production Kevin Feige has talked multiple times about wanting to bring the Sorcerer Supreme to the big screen, and though we don’t have official confirmation just yet, Doctor Strange showed up on a recently leaked list of Marvel’s Phase 3 line-up and yesterday we got word about four directors that the studio is meeting with to talk about the project. Now, Bleeding Cool is adding more fuel to the fire by reporting that the Marvel is also looking for their leading man.
Previous reports suggested that Johnny Depp had met with the studio for the titular role, but Bleeding Cool claims they have a “pretty solid Marvel-adjacent source” that puts Hannibal star Mads Mikkelsen in the cross-hairs. Mikkelsen is the actor that they originally had in mind for the villainous Malekith in Thor: The Dark World before his Hannibal scheduling conflicts got in the way, so it would make sense that they’ve gone back to him. Plus, he has also worked with Nikolaj Arcel before, one of the directors on Marvel’s short-list. If Arcel ends up getting the gig, that could give Mikkelsen a foot in the door.
Bleeding Cool was quick to add that they’re looking into the validity of this claim, so for now take this news with the requisite grain of salt. Plus, we’ll have to wait until the film is officially confirmed before we start getting concrete information about who may make or star in it. For now though, feel free to speculate.
What do you think of this news? Could you see Mikkelsen making the transition from Doctor Lecter to Doctor Strange? Make sure to let us know in the comments!