Marvel’s Master of the Mystic Arts could be materializing on the big screen. Sooner or later.
“I’d say in the next year, year and a half, as we start putting together our film slate for 2012 and 2013, I would not be shocked if we saw Dr. Strange on those lists,” Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige tells MTV’s Splash Page. “I love the idea of tapping into the magical realm of the Marvel Universe, which is fairly significant and hasn’t yet seen life on screen. It’s something I’m very, very interested in.”
Doctor Strange is certainly no, um, stranger to adaptations in other media: He appeared in a 1978 television movie, a 2007 direct-to-DVD animated film, plus a few cartoon cameos. A feature film has been listed as in pre-production since at least the mid-’80s, with rights and scripts being passed around Hollywood over the next two decades.
So, what makes this go-around any different? One, Marvel now has its own movie studio. And two, the company seems to be feeling its oats after elevating Iron Man — long considered a second-tier character — to blockbuster status.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:13 am
i have a new theory i’ve been developing over the past few years and i’m pretty sure it’s on spot. it seems like superheroes are destined to have some mediocre performances and flops before they hit it big. the character has to be floating around somewhere in the public consciousness for some time before making a big splash. for example, Spidey had that bad TV series (as well as a couple mediocre cartoons). Batman and Superman both had campy movie serials and later a wide mix of cartoons (ranging from classic to crappy). Supes had his own mediocre TV show and Batman, well, let’s just say that TV show was special (personally, i love it). now all three are bonafide hits. Iron Man had a flopped cartoon series, appearances in numerous other cartoons, (sort of…) a song about him, and his DVD animated film. he was in pop culture, just on the fringes. then BAM!!! he hits it big with the movie. so following that formula, the next big superhero hits should be: Wonder Woman, Dr. Strange, and Captain America. Silver Surfer is also due to a for a BIG hit at some point. and after this Black Panther cartoon runs on BET, T’Challa will (especially after Ultimate Avengers 2) be on his way to movie stardom at some point (if you follow the Nick Marino Superhero Success Formula, that is).
October 21st, 2008 at 1:46 pm
This would be most excellant! Too bad Ed Norton already played Bruce banner because he would make an awesome Doc Strange.
October 21st, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Debatable on whether you can call Superman (in film, I mean) a “bonafide hit” right now… Supes Returns did gross over $200 mil in the States (and another $100+mil internationally, I believe), but based on the lukewarm audience response and the costs for making/marketing the movie it’s considered a disappointment. It’s why WB’s (thankfully, IMO) planning to reboot.
I also disagree with you about Wonder Woman, simply because there’s no film (aside from the upcoming animated DVD feature) in the works. Green Lantern’s on tap for 2010, and the word so far is that the script is great. I hope so! Captain America should do well, if the script and casting is good, based on what I consider to be two fine efforts from Marvel Studios thus far.
Just curious, how does X-Men figure into the “Nick Marino Formula”? It’s probably the biggest omission from your list. I’d have preferred an X-Men 4 that erases most of what happened in X3, and brings both Xavier and Cyclops back, to the Wolverine movie and the (supposed) Magneto film. Then again, a total reboot in maybe 5-10 years could be interesting too.
October 21st, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Can’t we just have a good, regular Dr. Strange book first? I’m a man of simple needs…
April 8th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I know that this is old news. Dr. Strange is my favorite comic hero. It is the only Marvel character that really transcended the medium, in my opinion. I have collected some of the issues. In total it is a powerful saga. I live in Greenwich Village close to his Sanctorum and would love for it to appear