The rumour mill has been in overdrive as to who will play Doctor Strange on the big screen after Joaquin Phoenix pulled out of negotiations.

But even though some big names have been bandied about - eyebrows have still been raised after it was reported that Ryan Gosling is among the contenders.

The Hollywood hunk has previously preferred to stick to lower budget movies and projects which are not part of a franchise, but The Hollywood Reporter quotes a reliable source as saying that R-Gos has been talking to Marvel Studios about the role.

However the 33-year-old faces stiff competition for the role - whether he wants it or not - with a particularly glittering selection of names linked to it.

Ewan McGregor, Matthew McConaughey, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jared Leto, Ethan Hawke and Oscar Issac are all claimed to be in the frame now.

And Badass Digest suggests that McGregor seems to be quite keen.

It claims the Scottish star "has been preparing for the role – doing the usual research actors do when looking at taking on an adaptation or existing character".

Production is expected to start early in 2015, with the movie slated for release in 2016.