Quit your grinnin’ and drop your linen! No, your eyes are not deceiving you. According to the guys over at Badass Digest, there’s a new name in the mix for the role of Doctor Strange, and it’s none other than Scottish thesp, Ewan McGregor. Bear in mind, this is a rumour at the moment so until we hear official word, take it with a grain of salt. That being said, the folks over at BD seem pretty certain that their source is reliable, so here’s that scoop in full:
Yesterday a new source contacted me and said that Ewan McGregor had been prepping for the role – doing the usual research actors do when looking at taking on an adaptation or existing character. I contacted one of my usual sources and asked if this was true, and I was told “They’re looking at him.”
The thought of McGregor signing on for Marvel’s next round of pics isn’t entirely ridiculous. He’s had franchise experience before on the Star Wars prequels, and has dallied with make believe on more than one occasion (Big Fish, for example). If he were to sign this would probably take him out of the running for the supposed Star Wars spinoffs which are rumoured to centre on Obi Wan. He’d make a spiffy Strange, that’s for sure, but is he the best man for the job?
Last month, the final nail slammed into the coffin containing all of our hopes for a quirky, eccentric take on Marvel’s much-loved Sorcerer Supreme. After months of discussions and very nearly signing on, Joaquin Phoenix bowed out of the big screen adaptation. Still, as is often the case with the fast-paced Marvel rumour mill, it took no time at all for fans to begin discussing the next rumoured candidate for the role – Ethan Hawke. The actor’s relationship with Scott Derrickson, who’s onboard to helm Strange, led many to believe he was a shoo-in for the part. Alas, days later his name was also taken out of the running. Now with McGregor apparently up for consideration, could we on our way at last to an official confirmation from Marvel?
While we don’t know for certain, it’s likely that Doctor Strange will arrive in theatres on July 8th, 2016.