A couple of months ago it seemed Marvel has sewn up the casting of Doctor Strange with Joaquin Phoenix in talks for the role. However he passed on the role and so the studio has been on the lookout again.
Variety is now reporting that Marvel has a shortlist of the people they may want, with some suggesting Ewan McGregor is now the frontrunner, with Ethan Hawke, Matthew McConaughey, Jake Gyllenhaal, Oscar Isaac, and Jared Leto also in the mix.
While the list ranges from big names to those still rising up the ladder, it’s suggested Marvel would prefer a well-known name to lead the film, presumably because of concerns about lacking of recognition for the character.
However all of the them could fit the bill, as even Oscar Isaac is likely to be a much bigger name than he is now after Star Wars Episode VII. It’s thought McConaughey may be too big a name and too busy, unless he really wants to join the Marvel universe, while Gyllenhaal has a very mixed record in big films.
Doctor Strange is a former neurosurgeon, a practicing sorcerer, and serves as the Sorcerer Supreme, the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats. Scott Derrickson is set to direct, with a July 8th, 2016 release date set.