Joaquin Phoenix was initially eyed by Marvel to play Doctor Strange. (Photo : YouTube/Warner Bros. Pictures)
"Inherent Vice" actor Joaquin Phoenix was once considered by Marvel Studios to star in Scott Derrickson's Marvel Comics film "Doctor Strange."
Phoenix was eyed by the studio to become the Sorcerer Supreme in its Cinematic Universe. In his interview with Time Out, the actor said that while he had several meetings with Marvel Studios and got closer to grabbing the titular role, he felt that landing the role would not be pleasing.
According to Phoenix, Marvel Studios told him to focus on the character, even though he had not yet met the film director. The actor added that there were a number of requisites he had to have and these requisites were against his dispositions for a character. Though he understood the importance of knowing the character more, he opted not to play Marvel's enchanter.
Aside from Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice," Phoenix is also known for his roles in Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" and Woody Allen's "Irrational Man." The actor is next to be seen in M. Night Shyamalan's upcoming film.
While a lot of fans love comic book movies like Marvel's and DC's, Phoenix is not the only one to refuse doing a superhero film, as per Cinema Blend. "Avengers: Age of Ultron" director Joss Whedon felt that helming a Marvel film is exhausting while Edgar Wright dropped "Ant-Man" and left it to Peyton Reed. Meanwhile, Alan Taylor and Ava DuVernay had creative issues with the studio.
"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.
Benedict Cumberbatch will play Marvel's Sorcerer Supreme. Along with him, the film stars Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Derrickson's "Doctor Strange" is slated to premiere in theaters in the United States on Nov. 4, 2016.
