Michael Stuhlbarg may play Nicodemus West in Scott Derrickson’s "Doctor Strange.” (Photo : Instagram/michaelpittfanpage)
"Steve Jobs" actor Michael Stuhlbarg is currently being eyed for a key role in Scott Derrickson's forthcoming Marvel Comics film "Doctor Strange."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Stuhlbarg was in talks to be part of Derrickson's "Doctor Strange," starring Benedict Cumberbatch. The "Steve Jobs" actor is set to play the role of Nicodemus West, Stephen Strange's rival scientist, solo film of the Sorcerer Supreme, as per Variety.
In the comics, West was the one who performed the surgery on Strange's hands following the car accident. The surgical procedure was followed by severe nerve damage, which resulted to Strange being no longer capable of performing surgery.
His guilt made West to lead Strange to The Ancient One in Tibet. The latter offered to mentor him the mystic arts after seeing West in pain. But then, West was not able to finish his studies because he left. He made attempts to cure people with magic, but left them dying. As a result, West abandoned magic and became a CEO at a pharmaceutical company.
Stuhlbarg is known for his roles in Danny Boyle's biopic "Steve Jobs," Martin Scorsese's adventure drama "Hugo," Martin McDonagh's comedy crime "Seven Psychopaths," and Ethan Coen and Joel Coen's comedy drama "A Serious Man."
Aside from Derrickson's "Doctor Strange," Stuhlbarg is set to be part of Jay Roach's biopic drama "Trumbo," Don Cheadle's musical biopic "Miles Ahead," and Denis Villenueve's sci-fi "Story of Your Life."
Meanwhile, "Doctor Strange" will showcase an origin story of Doctor Stephen Strange, a neurosurgeon who loses his hands' fine motor skills after an accident. He meets the Ancient One, a master of magic who trains him to become the Sorcerer Supreme and defend the world from evil.
"Doctor Strange" stars Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo, Rachel McAdams as the Night Nurse, and Cumberbatch as Marvel's Sorcerer Supreme. "Hannibal" actor Mads Mikkelsen, who was reported to play the role of Mephisto or Dormammu, might not appear in Derrickson's forthcoming film.
Derrickson's "Doctor Strange" is slated to premiere in theaters in the United States on Nov. 4, 2016.
