Let the DOCTOR STRANGE Teasing Begin! Marvel Studios President Talks Changes to The Ancient One




Director Scott Derrickson has already confirmed he left for London to begin pre-production for filming DOCTOR STRANGE this fall. Also, concept art of leading actor Benedict Cumberbatch was shown last week at CineEurope to start the official teasing process for DOCTOR STRANGE by Marvel Studios.

Studio head Kevin Feige spoke with BirthDeathMovies about a rumor that Strange's mentor The Ancient One could be a completely different character than what has been seen in the comic book universe.

"As we were developing this film we looked at The Ancient One as a mantle more than a specific person. The sorcerers have been around for millennia, protecting us from things we didn’t know about until this story. There have been multiple [Ancient Ones], even if this one has been around for five hundred years, there were others. This is a mantle, and therefore felt we had leeway to cast in interesting ways."

In case you're not familiar with the rumor about The Ancient One, it's been reported that Marvel has targeted actor Tilda Swinton for the role. Since Feige disclosed how he and his brain trust have discussed changes to the character, it seems like the Swinton casting rumor might have some truth behind it even though it has not been confirmed by the studio, yet.

Feige also teased Strange's home, the Sanctum Sanctorum.

"The Sanctum is on Bleeker Street, the modern day Bleeker Street. He will be the strangest thing walking out onto that street."

With Marvel Studios opting out of the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con this year it remains to be seen if Marvel will reveal any DOCTOR STRANGE concept art during SDCC. Or they might wait until the month after when Marvel Studios will be in attendance at Disney's D23 Expo in August.

DOCTOR STRANGE releases on November 4, 2016.