Marvel is reportedly finalizing the deal on another surprise they may announce at their Comic-Con panel tomorrow. Ever since they found their Doctor Strange director in Scott Derrickson (Sinister, The Day The Earth Stood Still remake), we’ve been speculating about who could play the titular medical professional of unusual disposition. We reported an unfortunately fake rumor about Johnny Depp taking the role, and we’ve also heard about four other actors being considered: Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, Jared Leto, and Justin Theroux. Cumberbatch has already taken himself out of the running, while the other three reportedly have scheduling conflicts. So who is Marvel talking to now?
It’s Joaquin Phoenix, reports The Wrap:
While insiders caution there is no deal in place yet, multiple sources say Phoenix is in consideration and has had discussions about the movie. Many would assume that Phoenix is one of the last actors in Hollywood who would be willing to lock himself into a potential long-term deal, but it’s possible that he’s not being asked to sign the same staggering multi-picture contract that other actors in the MCU have. Phoenix had previously been courted for the role of Lex Luthor in WB’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and it’s believed that those talks would not have gotten as far as they did if Phoenix had no interest in doing a comic book movie.
Although Phoenix hasn’t shown much interest in superhero movies in the past (well, not since Superboy), these films are pulling prestigious actors these days, and Joaquin Texas Ranger was reportedly interested in a role in Batman V Superman. On a more morbid note, last we heard Doctor Strange will be an origin story in which Strange deals with the guilt of letting his sister die. That might hit a little too close there, Marvel. His forehead may just explode.
On the other hand, we already know he’s a huge fan of fancy capes.