'Doctor Strange’ Coming Summer 2016, Joaquin Phoenix Close To Nabbing Lead Role

With actor Joaquin Phoenix reportedly close to nabbing the lead role, Marvel has gone ahead and scheduled a release date for its Phase 3 film Doctor Strange. It will open July 8, 2016 in the United States with worldwide dates to follow.

Doctor Strange follows a former neurosurgeon turned sorcerer charged with protecting Earth from magical and mystical threats. The property was created in the early 1960s by the legendary team of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. 

Most of the other Phase 3 films have already been slotted. Ant-Man kicks off the festivities in 2015, with Captain America 3 premiering in 2016 and Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 in 2017. Thor 3 and The Avengers 3 remain unscheduled but are also part of that group. 

According to sources, Phoenix is in final negotiations to star as the titular hero. A number of actors were previously rumoured for the sought-after part, including Jared Leto, Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hardy. 

This would be Phoenix’s first appearance in a big-budget comic book movie; he’s previously leaned towards smaller, independent fare such as The Master and Her.

Along with Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man, Doctor Strange is one of Marvel’s first attempts to launch a standalone franchise beyond the Avengers. 

The character is lesser known by the wider public but with fifth years of history behind it, it could easily be a hidden jewel in Marvel’s crown.