The Marvel formula is now firmly set into audiences minds. They know what to expect and they know they’re going to have a good time. Unless they aren’t fans of superhero movies, believe it not these people exist. Doctor Strange could be the film to bring non-fans into the fold with an intense story and impeccable, all-powerful cast.
By the time ‘Doctor Strange’ rolls around in the latter part of 2016 there’s a distinct possibility some cinema goers might have had their fill of Marvel and their blockbusters. Since ‘Iron Man’ started the avalanche we’re still being rumbled by now there have been 20 films released under the Marvel banner. It’s impossible to go to a cinema without seeing a promotional poster for an upcoming superhero film. In fact it’s very hard to go anywhere without hearing or seeing some trace of them. Facebook posts, conversations on the bus or train, toys and figurines in shopping centres, children’s clothes and books. It’s almost overwhelming even for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). How long can something be pushed before it becomes stale? It’s safe to say that many people will hold the anticipation they always have when Doctor Strange is released. Many others will have lost their interest like dye running away in the laundry. However, if the excitement about Marvel is starting to fizzle out, this film could not only reignite it but create entirely new fans. There are two specific and compelling reasons.
[wr_heading tag=”h1″ text_align=”inherit” heading_margin_top=”5″ heading_margin_bottom=”25″ font=”inherit” enable_underline=”yes” border_bottom_style=”solid” appearing_animation=”0″ disabled_el=”no” ]The Cast[/wr_heading]Sure, you’re thinking how could the cast be such a significant factor, Marvel already uses the biggest stars. Correct, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and co are some of the most recognisable faces in the world. However, the cast assembled for Doctor Strange is starting to look like it could be a documentary on the art form of acting.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Here is an actor that when things are all said and done will be remembered. The roles he takes and the performances he gives are always nothing short of fantastic. His diversity and skill have made average movies good and good films great. He might also give Morgan Freeman some competition in the ‘greatest voice ever’ category. The British born actor has played his part in countless award winning and highly acclaimed films like: ‘Atonement‘, ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’, ‘War Horse’, ’12 Years A Slave’, and ‘The Imitation Game’. He’s also taken on the role of Sherlock Holmes for TV and his performance there probably upstaged the feature films in which Robert Downey Jr. took the lead. What makes him so great for the role of Stephen Strange is not just the fact that we know he’ll be outstanding, but he will have fans follow him into the Marvel universe that have never ventured there before. He has the suave and cool to appeal to younger viewers but also the dramatic nous and sophistication for the older audience. His pulling power is enormous and this is a new direction for him so the interest into his performance will be massive. He’s seemingly only getting better too. By the time Doctor Strange is released he’ll have also appeared alongside Johnny Depp in the highly anticipated ‘Black Mass’.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
This Nigerian descendant’s bio and talent are no less impressive than Cumberbatch. Once again a very diverse performer, with an astounding amount of charisma that makes him infinitely watchable, even in the few less than impressive films he’s starred in. His credits include the award winning and heart-wrenching ’12 Years A Slave’ and arguably one of the best movies this century has seen in ‘Children Of Men’. Add to that the acclaimed ‘Inside Man’, ‘American Gangster’, and ‘Z For Zachariah‘ and you think he wouldn’t necessarily fit the Marvel environment, despite the promise of a great performance. However this is the exact reason his recent addition to the cast is also a great choice. Just like Cumberbatch, there are Ejiofor fans that probably wouldn’t go near a superhero blockbuster. They will now. He’s a consummate professional who gets the absolute maximum out of every character he plays, be it major or minor.
Accompanying these two powerhouses will be the incomparable Tilda Swinton and Danish star Mads Mikkelsen, both whom are critically favoured and have sets of fans that are left-field of Marvel.
So essentially what we’ve got is a superhero movie starring people you never guessed would be superheros but they happen to be some of the most talented actor’s plying their craft at the moment. All of them are well received by critics so you can bet the early reviews will be promising. The interest will rise from there. Marvel fans will be waiting with bated breath and fans of these particular actors will be just as intrigued. Based on the cast alone it’s hard to see this film going wrong.
[wr_heading tag=”h1″ text_align=”inherit” heading_margin_top=”5″ heading_margin_bottom=”25″ font=”inherit” enable_underline=”yes” border_bottom_style=”solid” appearing_animation=”0″ disabled_el=”no” ]The Story[/wr_heading]
Strange is an apt title for a story that on paper appears to take ridiculous twists and turns. However, within it there lies the potential for some extreme emotion and complex character building. Basically the plot is as follows: Stephen Strange is a brilliant medical student, and, later surgeon who’s family is plagued by the curses of a sorcerer named Karl Mordo, because he knows Strange is destined to become the next Sorcerer Supreme. A genius in his field Strange has to overcome crippling grief and personal struggles in his normal life to become the great power he can be in the fantasy realm. The full biography goes into great detail and contains many spoilers so read it at your peril, but it displays Strange as a character that is both realistic and contains plenty of depth despite the magical aspects of the plot. A surgeon who becomes a sorcerer sounds crazy but the journey there is filled with sorrow, pain, and perseverance. Strange isn’t the perfect hero whatsoever and that makes his character all the more believable and interesting. The fact that is at times neither hero nor villain sets him apart from someone like Thor or Iron Man. Strange is a human being, capable of the entire range of human emotion, including selfishness and self-pity as well as heroism. Karl Modo seems like more of the standard villain but with Ejiofor portraying him we can expect something more and should be able to emphasise with him.
It’s also a new direction for Marvel. They haven’t yet exposed audiences to magic and fantasy on film and this entry promises to be a dark and thrilling exploration of the genre that has become so popular on the back of Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones.
Doctor Strange is a risk more than any other film Marvel have done. It’s casting is unconventional compared to previous films and the story is abstract at times and potentially emotionally draining but it’s a risk that could pay-off big time. Think something along the lines of what DC achieved with ‘The Dark Knight’.
How do you think this abstract story and casting will go? Will it be the surprising success of Guardians of the Galaxy or an experiment that fails?