Joaquin Phoenix On Almost Playing DR. STRANGE & Still Being A Marvel Movie Fan
Now that Benedict Cumberbatch has been officially confirmed as our big-screen Doctor Strange, the man that looked likely to take the role for a while leading up to that can speak a bit more freely. He still won't really discuss how far he came, but does reveal how much he enjoys Marvel's films.
When the rumor first hit that Joaquin Phoenix was being looked at for the title role in Marvel's planned Doctor Strange adaptation, fans held their breath in anticipation. Then, it was reported that the actor was actually in "final talks" for the role, which is usually a sign that it's in the bag. This turned out to premature however, and Phoenix passed. At the time we heard this was because he baulked at the multiple-movie contract he would have had to sign, and wanted to be free to make different types of films when he felt like it, but we never heard that from the horse's mouth. Now, during press for his new movie Inherent Vice, Phoenix was asked outright how close he came to playing the Sorcerer Supreme by the website Nuke The Fridge. His answer was a simple and direct "I don't know", but when pushed to speak about his Marvel negotiations he did offer a little more on his feelings towards the studio itself.
"I like all sorts of movies. I know that I typically do dramas that I guess are maybe considered independent but I like all sorts of different movies. I’m just looking for good characters and big ideas and a great filmmaker. Sometimes the fit is right and that’s it.” Those guys make great movies. I loved Iron Man, I liked Guardians of the Galaxy. I really like the movies they make. I enjoy watching them. I think they do them really well. The superhero movies are our version of those great Kung Fu movies. I enjoy that.”
So maybe it wasn't the contract after all -- maybe he just wasn't overly impressed by the material! Could we see Phoenix as a different Marvel character some day perhaps? He certainly seems to be a fan at least. Are you glad he passed so Cumberbatch could step into the cape, or would you have preferred Phoenix in the role? Sound off in the usual place.