Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson really wanted Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role. But it wasn’t an easy task.
Doctor Strange is an important film for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) because it explores new, fascinating aspects of the universe. Scott Derrickson emphasized the importance of finding the right actor. Someone who could embody the mystical and complex role of Stephen Strange.
The search for the right actor
Who was in the running? The first choice for the role was Benedict Cumberbatch. Derrickson was convinced of his talent and went to London to convince him in person. But there was a problem: Cumberbatch had already agreed to play Hamlet in the London theater. That’s why his schedule didn’t match the release date planned by Marvel Studios. Doctor Strange was originally scheduled to premiere in the summer – on July 8, 2016 – as a blockbuster premiere.
Doctor Strange – trailer for the Marvel film
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Start postponement for Cumberbatch
What did Disney do to get Cumberbatch? Joker star Joaquin Phoenix was cast as an alternative for the role, among others. But when casting talks fell through, Derrickson was determined to get Cumberbatch on board. Even if it meant postponing the start and foregoing potential profits.
He says the following about this:
“[…]We have to make the appointment [Start] postpone because it has to be Benedict.” Kevin [Feige, Präsident Marvel Studios] went to Bob Iger [CEO Disney] and Alan Horn [ehemaliger Chief Creative Officer bei Disney] and told them what I had said. To their credit, they pushed the date back and made it a fall film.
Scott Derrickson in an exclusive interview with SlashFilm
After some negotiations, the studio finally agreed to push back Doctor Strange’s release date to give Cumberbatch time to fulfill his theatrical commitments. It was a risky decision, but Derrickson firmly believed Cumberbatch was the right choice.
“In the end, it came down to the fact that the people in charge at Disney knew that they would make less money on the film, but they gave me, as the director, the right actor for the film,” says Derrickson.
Success at the box office
How successful was the film? The film opens on October 26, 2016. Even though Doctor Strange could probably have made even more profit in the summer, it was more than worth it. Doctor Strange became a box office success and Benedict Cumberbatch established himself as one of the MCU’s main stars.
According to CBR, Doctor Strange grossed $85 million during its release weekend. This is one of the MCU’s most successful releases to date. It grossed over $677 million at the box office worldwide.
The story behind the casting of Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange shows that sometimes sacrifices have to be made to achieve the best for a project.
Derrickson and the studio were willing to forgo potential profits to get the right actor. Cumerbatch’s portrayal of Doctor Strange is loved by fans.
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