Everyone seems to be going bonkers over the news that Marvel has chosen Benedict Cumberbatch for the role of Stephen Strange in the upcoming Doctor Strange film. Though if you drill past any of the headlines, it's only insider news that negotiations are beginning, nothing actually inked to paper.
That said, it's also interesting how there's a not-insignificant backlash in a lot of comments in these articles against such a casting. It seems that Cumberbatch's being in practically every nerdly franchise going on out there and being the subject of regular squeefulness on Tumblr has led to either fatigue or resentment by at least some cohort within fandom.
As for me — I think he could do a fine job in the role. Possibly even better than Peter Hooten. But I'm not going to start printing up t-shirts until there are official announcements of signatures on contracts.
Originally shared by +The Mary Sue:
BREAKING! #DoctorStrange #BenedictCumberbatch
Looks Like Marvel Has Cast None Other Than Benedict Cumberbatch As Doctor Strange
Woot!
"Possibly even better than Peter Hooten."
I'm not sure if you were joking with this line, or not.
+Mark Means With all respects to Mr Hooten, the 70s TV movie version of "Doctor Strange" is best remembered through the mind's eye of nostalgia, not actually watched again.
It's funny you mentioned him. I had found the Hooten version on YouTube, but didn't watch it all (the quality was pretty bad) I was never a big Strange fan, but do remember watching it, back in the day, just because "It's super heroes!!"
Actually, it looks like someone's put up a better quality version: Dr. Strange – 1978 Movie
Just in case 🙂
+Mark Means Oh, when it came out in '78 I was all over that. I mean, a Doctor Strange movie! Sure, it contorted canon like nothing else; sure, the Ancient One did not look like Lee Van Cleef. Sure, it was a damned goofy late 70s TV move … but, by god, I was going watch the hell out of that thing and recite, "In the name of Riyal, Scourge of Demons, I command you, BEGONE!" as vigorously as I chanted the incantation in Excalibur a half-decade later.
It was a more innocent time …
Also, one day not long after, I was on the Universal Studios Tour in LA, and saw one of the inter-dimensional "islands" out in the back lot, looking very sad.