John Leavitt asked me in email
who do you see playing Dr. Strange in 2014?
Benedict Cumberbatch, most recently in Sherlock. He’s got the acting skill to play someone who is (or at least starts out as) a total cock but still make him sympathetic. He’s definitely got the look for the part: add a moustache or goatee and he’s Stephen Strange, just so. He’ll likely be in Marvel’s price range (“kind of recognizable, has talent, but we can get him cheap”). And he’ll be exactly the right age, which defines as “five or six years younger than the character so you can get multiple sequels out of him before it starts looking silly and you need a reboot.”
The only question is if Cumberbatch can do a good American accent, but he’s got time to work on it, doesn’t he?
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The only problem with this idea is that I want them to still be making Sherlock. That said, if they keep doing 3 episodes a year, I could totally see him doing both.
I support any proposal that features Mr. Cumberbatch, in anything.
@Michael-
Martin Freeman is managing to fit both playing John Watson and playing Bilbo Baggins into next year. Of course, that’s because Peter Jackson is awesomely accommodating. But it can be done.
To be honest, I don’t think we have to worry too much about Cumberbatch getting an American accent, as long as he isn’t made to affect something like a Southern accent. Hell, there’s nothing about Dr. Strange that says he has to be an American character-a British expatriate could fit just fine.
Tales- As an Englishman, I object to your reinforcement of the stereotype that all English people are wizards (and/or, increasingly, pagan deities.)
I’ll have you know we also have a thriving Space Nazi population,
I was gonna try to name a better choice, but I honestly can’t think on one. Well played, MGK…
Hey, I’ve got one– Robert Downey Jr!
In my fond fantasies, I’d love to see George Clooney as Dr. Strange, if only because he has personal experience playing an asshole doctor who thinks he’s great, and has a comparable level of charisma to a Robert Downey Jr.
I kind of always picture Strange talking with a British accent anyway.
How about Neal Patrick Harris? Three years older than Benedict, but looks young.
Edward Norton based his character in The Illusionist on Dr. Strange (at least that what he says in the DVD special features). So he’s a fan of the character.
But he’s already had his crack at a Marvel movie, and he’d want to rewrite the script every day(but that worked for Iron Man). Of course, Marvel seems to want nothing to do with him, anyway.
I’m going with Jeffry Combs. Sure, he’s a bit old, but he’s already had a warm up pass at the part (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104115/ )
John: As great as Jeffry Combs is, I really can’t see him in anything without thinking of Weyoun. It’s that distinctive voice…
Last time I got this mental prompt, my answer was Guy Pearce. Still not a bad answer, but doesn’t fit the “younger than the character in case of sequels” criterion now.
Do we know they’re going to use the arrogant SOB surgeon of the comics?
I’ve noticed adaptations (and even some comics) tend to shy away from it or explain it (he was mean and hateful because Mordo drove him crazy!) when I think that loathsome period is part of what makes him interesting.
Surely he could just stretch his native accent to allow for upper class New York/New England dipthtongs?
That could work.