About a month ago, it was being reported that Scott Derrickson’s ‘Doctor Strange’ had found its leading man in Joaquin Phoenix. Marvel Studios had allegedly attempted to lock the actor in for San Diego Comic Con, but no deal could be reached at the time. While it appeared that things were being finalized for the ‘Inherent Vice’ star to take up the mantle of Dr. Stephen Strange, rumors are now circulating that say that things fell apart and we have a new Sorcerer Supreme.
According to This Is Infamous, Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke is the new star of ‘Doctor Strange’ The actor has starred in such classic films as ‘Dead Poet’s Society’, ‘Training Day’, and ‘Boyhood’, but he hasn’t been in anything like the upcoming Phase Three film featuring the dark mystical arts. The closest he came was probably ‘Sinister,’ but Strange is likely to take the supernatural to a whole other level. But the 2012 horror film was directed by Derrickson, so the two already have a working relationship with one another which may have factored into Hawke being considered for the job.
The site’s sources also say that Hawke accepted the job (along with the standard multi-picture deal) over the weekend, so if this rumor ends up being true, then the announcement should be coming at any time. With New York Comic Con happening next week, that may be a good time to unveil the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What do you think about Ethan Hawke playing the titular character of ‘Doctor Strange’? If these reports are true, are you disappointed that things didn’t work out with Joaquin Phoenix? Was there anyone else that you were hoping to see don the Eye of Agamotto in the upcoming Marvel Studios feature? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
