'Doctor Strange' Cast: Oscar Isaac, Patrick Wilson, Mads Mikkelsen Among Names Now In Contention For Lead Role After Joaquin Phoenix Dips Out [VIDEO]
With the news last week that Joaquin Phoenix would not be taking the lead role of Doctor Strange in the Marvel movie, it leaves a big role in the studio's cinematic universe to be filled and it could include another name within Disney's upcoming movies.
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Cinema Blend speculated on Friday on who could take over the role now that Phoenix won't be involved and three names came up: Oscar Isaac, Patrick Wilson, and Mads Mikkelsen.
Isaac, who is currently filming Star Wars: Episode VII, is a name on the rise within the franchise building business. After his turn in the Coen Brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis, he has moved on to nabbing a role in one of the most anticipated movies in a long time with Star Wars.
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While he could be tied down with the Star Wars franchise for awhile now, Cinema Blend's Sean O'Connell makes the point that Isaac could be a one and done character. He could be gone after Episode VII and would be available to take on the role of Steven Strange. He would also have an inside lead since he has worked already with Disney on Star Wars.
Wilson is someone who has worked previously on a superhero movie, Zack Snyder's Watchmen, and has never led a franchise of his own. He also has experience with horror movies, most recently with The Conjuring, which director Scott Derrickson is coming from.
Mikkelsen would be the more veteran choice as the actor is closer to the age of Robert Downey Jr. rather than Chris Hemsworth. But he is also the most prestigious of the group and has a relationship with Marvel (he almost played the villain in Thor 2).
While he does have NBC's Hannibal to work on, it isn't a show that requires a lot of attention and could allow the actor to pursue a franchise with Marvel.
Doctor Strange is expected to hit theaters in July 2017.