Marvel is still on the lookout for their Doctor Strange after actor Joaquin Phoenix turned down the role, according to Den of Geek.
Marvel has made no announcements as of yet on who will be heading Director Scott Derrickson's upcoming "Doctor Strange" film. And while Phoenix's name had popped up as a frontrunner, the actor ultimately decided to turn down the role.
Phoenix told Playboy that he could not talk about the project, but he did explain what kind of movies and roles he was looking for. The actor revealed that he preferred roles that pushed him out of his comfort zone, adding that he is always looking for "good characters, big ideas and a passionate filmmaker."
He made no mention on whether or not he regretted turning down the Marvel project, though Phoenix did mention that in his career he could not forget passing on one film. However, he said that the actor that ended up in the role was good for the film, so he did not find it in him to regret it.
After Phoenix's exit, the other actor rumored for the role is Benedict Cumberbatch, though the news has yet to be confirmed, according to Digital Spy.
When he was interviewed on the red carpet of the Hollywood Film Awards by CBS, the actor refused to comment on whether or not he was going to be involved in the film.
"I don't know about that," he said.
When the actor was also approached by reporters from USA Today, Cumberbatch simply said, "tell the fanboys it's still a rumor."
While Cumberbatch is reportedly under negotiations, other names being dropped include Jared Leto and Tom Hardy, according to Deadline.
Colin Farrell is also another actor being rumored to join the fray, while Keanu Reeves has been named by fans as a possibility, according to Slash Film. Reeves, however, stated the he was not approached, though he could be interested in it if the script is good.
Marvel has yet to nix all the rumors, so fans are still waiting
The upcoming "Doctor Strange" film will be directed by Derrickson, written by Jon Spaihts, produced by Kevin Feige and is based on the comic by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, according to Deadline. In the original comics, Doctor Strange is a neurosurgeon who became the Sorcerer Supreme and protected the Earth using his mystical powers.
