Will Dr. Strange Work in Marvel's Cinematic Universe?

Will Dr. Strange Work in Marvel's Cinematic Universe?

Dr. Strange is a great character and deserves a solo movie, but how well would he fit within the MCCU?

Editorial Opinion
By phantom1527 - Apr 07, 2014 12:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Doctor Strange

Dr. Strange is one of Marvel’s most unique “popular” characters, so it makes sense for Kevin Feige and Joss Whedon to implement him in Marvel’s Phase 3.  However, as currently constructed, the MCCU might be setting a Dr. Strange movie up to fail.  Thor, Thor 2 and The Avengers suggested that the otherworldly “magic” that people like Thor and Loki possess is simply an advanced form of science.  This makes sense because moviegoers often like for films to be somewhat grounded in reality.  This presents a dilemma because Dr. Strange is the Sorcerer Supreme, which means he is a master of magic, not advanced science. 
 
Also, as popular as Dr. Strange is, he cannot compete with the popularity of Iron Man, Thor, Hulk or Captain America.  Dr. Strange is probably more complex than all of the characters previously stated, but within this Avengers-focused franchise he would most likely be overshadowed or misused.  I have heard some argue that the introduction of Dr. Strange could lead to an introduction to The Illuminati.  Although this would be really cool to see on the big screen Marvel doesn’t own the rights to Mr. Fantastic, Professor X or Namor, so there would have to be a major roster overhaul to create this movie. 
 
I have also heard some argue that Dr. Strange could introduce a Midnight Sons franchise that would be able to implement a darker tone and they could fight magic based super villains like Dracula, Dormamu and Mephisto.  This makes more sense to me because Marvel Studios owns the cinematic rights to a lot of characters who would be too dark or too magically based to fit within the current cinematic universe (Blade, The Punisher, Moonknight, Ghost Rider, Werewolf by Night etc.) and a Midnight Sons franchise could create an avenue to implement these characters without creating a whole separate world for them.
 
I really want to see a Dr. Strange movie come to theaters, but what I do not want to see is a mishandled Dr. Strange movie.  I am sure that Marvel and Disney has brilliant minds working on a way to make it work, but I am still worried.
 
Your Thoughts? 

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GizmoEl
GizmoEl - 4/7/2014, 12:14 PM
Doctor strange is just as unknown as iron man and Thor were in 2007. They went from unpopular characters to A-Listers
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 4/7/2014, 12:14 PM
Ofc Dr Strange will work perfectly in the MCCU, it all goes down to finding the right actor for the part, then go from there.

Bringing in a darker MCCU is a good direction too, Marvel needs to do Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror even um comedy :p

Bottom line, keeps it all fresh.
swindler1985
swindler1985 - 4/7/2014, 12:17 PM
They made Thor work incredibly well. I have faith they can do the same for Dr. Strange.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 4/7/2014, 12:17 PM
Yes it will!


CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 4/7/2014, 12:24 PM
There's no reason he wouldn't work.

Thor, Loki, and Odin have all been using magic since the first Thor movie. Here we are, 3 movies later that have had at least one of those people using magic. I don't see why it wouldn't work for my boy D. Strange.

Not to mention, Strange is about 100 times more interesting than Thor could ever hope to be.

I can't wait, personally.

I just don't know who would be good to play him. People say Depp, but that would be terrible. Depp hasn't done a movie where he didn't put his ridiculous "Jack Sparrow" spin on the character since the first Pirates movie. Strange is one of the most serious characters in the MU, so they need someone to play him properly, whithout being all goofy and ridiculous.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 4/7/2014, 12:26 PM
Also, I can't wait to see Dormammu on-screen. He has the potential to be one of the best villains in all of CBM's, both from a villainous standpoint, as well as visual.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 4/7/2014, 12:36 PM
Strangely enough, Ant-Man is the character I don't see working well. Not because he wouldn't fit, but because I can't see anyone but hardcore comic fans being interested in it.

I can already hear people in the general audience, like my co-workers talking about Marvel running out of ideas, or something.

He's just too cheesy. I hope i'm wrong though.
ruadh
ruadh - 4/7/2014, 12:50 PM
Yeah at this point, I'd believe they can fit anyone anymore.
cipher
cipher - 4/7/2014, 12:57 PM
I never had any doubts about whether or not Dr. Strange would work. At all.

It'll work out just fine in the end.
sKeemAn
sKeemAn - 4/7/2014, 1:05 PM
Stephen Strange will fit perfectly into the MCU. They have already started the change of tone for films to be darker and more serious. Especially with the recent release of Cap: TWS. Thor has been using magic since the first movie. Now they will dive deeper into the magic vs science plot with Strange. The GA will love his storyline. Now they need an actor whom the GA will love just as much.
CaptainAmerica31
CaptainAmerica31 - 4/7/2014, 1:20 PM
Doctor strange is not on the same level of UN popularity as iron man and thor were. Thor is a Norse god and was in cartoons. Iron man was in countless cartoons and had a [frick]ing song named after him
kinghulk
kinghulk - 4/7/2014, 1:26 PM
i want to see Benedict cumberpatch as dr strange
GinjaNinja
GinjaNinja - 4/7/2014, 2:12 PM
just make sure he's magic not science.
sikwon
sikwon - 4/7/2014, 2:24 PM
Ant man (who I really don't like. At all) will fit well into the MCU. He's tech based and will not only look incredible but he kicks of phase 3. I bet it will be pretty damned good.
CaptainAmerica31
CaptainAmerica31 - 4/7/2014, 2:32 PM
Yea ant man has a great director and cast, it's gonna kick so much ass
McNyagano
McNyagano - 4/7/2014, 3:58 PM
Yes!
Pasto
Pasto - 4/7/2014, 3:58 PM
Groovy.
Pasto
Pasto - 4/7/2014, 3:58 PM
I just cut one and cut it BADly.
Pasto
Pasto - 4/7/2014, 4:02 PM
The long/correct answer:
NO
gmoney0505
gmoney0505 - 4/7/2014, 5:21 PM
They could have left whether magic was a form of science out of Thor and general audience would have not given a crap cause the movie still don't explain how the heck they can do or come up with this advanced from of science. Its just one sentence Thor said. That was it a 2 second explanation which still did not explain anything.

If done really well and have a decent story, Dr. Strange will do well cause it seems everyone like Marvel movies no matter what. They can say little puddles came up with magic for Dr. Strange 5 years and the movie will still be liked.

ItsATrap
ItsATrap - 4/7/2014, 8:10 PM
i tihnk feige has said in an interview that strange's magic would be likened to how it was in thor. in The Dark World we find out that asgardian magic is just science that's been fancied up. feige went on to say that the sorts of things happening today in quantum physics and being explained by guys like stephen hawking and neil de grasse tyson seem pretty magical. his idea was that if someone were able to harness those sorts of forces and use them, it could be seen as magic.

so if this is the version of magic they're going for, some of the more fantastic elements, like dormammu and mephisto, might still be harder to explain. but it will definitely fit in with the established tone of magic they've set up so far.
Enphlieuwince
Enphlieuwince - 4/7/2014, 9:19 PM
Without a doubt.
JoJo1982
JoJo1982 - 4/7/2014, 11:21 PM
They've been using magic in MCU for awhile if ya notice.
Prime example fright and Loki doing illusions and shape shifting
Odin..... nuff said
JoJo1982
JoJo1982 - 4/7/2014, 11:29 PM
Also i think a Dr Strange movie would work

But you getting excited about a midnight son movie.... That would be perfect way to introduce blade, moon Knight, and ghost Rider
inkslinger616
inkslinger616 - 4/8/2014, 4:36 PM
Pretty sure the MCU does hold the rights to Namor
TucksFrom2015
TucksFrom2015 - 4/8/2014, 4:56 PM
I can't believe no one's mentioning this but...

DOCTOR STRANGE will be a MARTIAL ARTS FILM

if you look at the characters, the setting, the themes.. Strange is kung-fu cinema disguised as a superhero film. MARVEl studios is trying out every genre, this is one (very special) movie genre they haven't done yet.
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 4/8/2014, 8:00 PM
Doctor Strange is an unknown but to me i love the character. I even have the old trippy comics. I love Doctor Strange because he's some what different to every other character in the MCU. First thing's first, his origin story is unique and it's an origin story that does not have to take half of the film's run time. Dr Strange's rogues gallery is unique. The character of Strange is sorcerer supreme. You could argue that Strange has the same mannerisms as Stark.

Dr Strange could be the stepping stone of adding or introducing more supernatural characters.

I understand that magic has been introduced in the MCU but with the mixture of science as explained in Thor but that element would keep the character some what grounded.
JoJo1982
JoJo1982 - 4/8/2014, 9:07 PM
@f4hype

Martial arts movie?

They got Iron Fist and Shang chi for that
Vortigar
Vortigar - 4/9/2014, 12:20 AM
@CaptainAmerica31:
Strange has got song lyrics mentioning him coming out of his pores. He's on the cover of a Pink Floyd album. There's a record label and more than one band named after him.

Stephen has a pretty big legacy, problem is that legacy is confined to that era. Like the fictional character himself, he's a ghost of his former glory.

@TheF4HypeAuthority:
While the message of Strange's character is about self-realization and parallels the arc most martial arts films take, its not about beating a bad guy, its about accepting the way the world is and rebuilding yourself in it. Beating the bad guy is almost a secondary consideration. Heck, in his origin story its the Ancient One that beats Mordo, Strange just had to realize what was going on and accept it.

Strange's best 'recent' book is the Oath, which is a full blown detective story. Strange/Doom Triumph & Torment is a true mystical journey tale that's mostly about psychology.
Vortigar
Vortigar - 4/9/2014, 12:32 AM
Dr Strange will work as well as the script will allow. Its been a long time since magical movies were in vogue. If they ever were.

There's no doubt in my mind that Strange could work. He allows for beautiful setpiece moments, magnificent spectacle and great introspection.
RonnieLava
RonnieLava - 4/13/2014, 4:57 AM
With David Morrissey (The Governor on Walking Dead) as Dr. Strange, everyone in the Marvel Universe will respect and probably fear him---even Thanos!

I can't wait to see a Marvel Universe superhero with a VERY dark side!
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