Doctor Strange: Joaquin Phoenix Back In The Mix?

Marvel’s hopes for Joaquin Phoenix to star as Doctor Strange in their sprawling cinematic universe might not be as dead as we assumed.

The ‘Inherent Vice’ and ‘Her’ star ended extensive contract talks with Marvel last month but according to The Wrap he is still a possibility alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Farrell, a new name being thrown into the mix.

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The Wrap acknowledges that Phoenix’s publicist has insisted that contract talks are “dead, dead, dead” but their article disagrees, saying that “he has apparently had second thoughts and is not entirely out of the picture just yet.”

They theorise that Robert Downey Jr’s recently outed involvement in ‘Captain America 3’ might have been a reason for Phoenix pulling out of talks when he did. 

It is also claimed that ‘Sherlock’ star Benedict Cumberbatch remains high on Marvel’s list, but say his busy schedule may prove too problematic to overcome. 

The list of actors connected to the part of Steven Strange has been growing by the week. The names mentioned so far include the aforementioned, Jared Leto, Tom Hardy, Keanu Reeves, Matthew McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Adrian Brody, Ewan McGregor, Oscar Isaac, Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Gosling. 

It’s safe to say Marvel are casting a wide net. 

'Doctor Strange' will be directed by Scott Derrickson for release on July 8, 2016.

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Picture credits: WENN / Marvel Comics