Yesterday, Entertainment Weekly dropped their new cover, which is a preview of Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange. This is, I believe, a great move for Benedict’s career. It’s surely a better move than Star Trek Into Darkness, although I’m genuinely worried that Benedict had to sign some nine-picture contract with Marvel just to play Doctor Strange. Anyway, EW released some additional images of Bendy, plus some “first look” concept art pieces – you can see the slideshow here, and I’m including a few of the new photos of Benedict Strange, which should be the character’s name. There’s already so much talk about his face-merkin and his Strange wiglet, but you know what? I think he’s pulling it off. From what I can see, he looks like the character and Benedict’s face is already so “strange,” he can pull off some weird looks.
There are also two new quotes from Benedict in EW. We might have to start a new series, Benedict Strange Says Words.
“These gestures are ways of creating the magic. It’s a beautiful thing, it’s balletic, it’s very dynamic,” says Benedict Cumberbatch. “And once the boys in the backroom get to work on it, there’s going to be crazy s–t going on.”
“There’s all sorts of craziness [in Doctor Strange],” says Cumberbatch. “Falling, flying, jumping, fighting, punching, getting punched. It’s really rough and tumble.”
Did he really think that he would sign on to a Marvel movie and NOT have to throw a punch or take a punch? I mean, it’s not really “crazy” as much as it is by-the-books comic book adaptation. I can’t wait for Benedict to talk more about his ballet moves too.
Meanwhile, EW also confirms that Mads Mikkelsen will be playing the Big Bad in Doctor Strange. Producer Stephen Broussard tells EW: “Mads is playing our main villain.” Kevin Feige says: “Mads’ character is a sorcerer who breaks off into his own sect. [He] believes that the Ancient One is just protecting her own power base and that the world may be better off if we were to allow some of these other things through.” Sure. I mean, you wouldn’t hire Mads Mikkelsen to play a character who has the soul of a fluffy kitten. Of course he’s going to be the bad guy.
Photos courtesy of Marvel/EW.
I’m looking forward to this promotional tour. I always love reading his interviews.
Still not totally sold on him playing a kickass sorcerer. And Lord help us, he is again saying words… He really isn’t very smart or very articulate, is he? At least he doesn’t come across that way when he talks. Yesterday’s quote was worse – the one about moving his hands to cast spells. Funny, you never hear Eddie spout nonsense like that even though he very obviously has to flap his hands about to cast spells too😅 Ben must be exhausting in real life, he is so pompous and full of himself. I am afraid that he will truly become insufferable once he starts cashing the Marvel cheques.
Is it the same Eddie who was with JLaw “the puker” on Norton just now and chimed in on puking at Madonna’s house? They are all entertainers and they all do cringeworthy things to sell their movies and their brand.
No idea. I don’t watch Norton. In fact I have no cable so if it’s not on Netflix… It has not been seen. The interviews I have read with Eddie Redmayne were witty, classy and self deprecating.
The show is on YouTube, the news is on the Internet, I don’t have cable either.
If you only read CB for entertainment news then you would get a distorted view of who is who, it is not impartial.
Farhi, I do hope you have a happy new year and receive full credit in your role of protector of the Batch.
So tiresome. If Cumbers weren’t so exhausting all by himself, his relentless defenders would be more than enough to make me seek out a holiday!
Totally jonesing for the film, though! I think it will be great and I’m looking forward to what Scott Derrickson will do. I follow him on Twitter and he’s a curious one who seems to draw from many sources of inspiration. I think Bendy’s unique abilities will be used to good effect here, and I’m glad we get this second post with more of the pictures.
Also…AWKWARD WORDS!!!! This is going to be fun.
You should see the Hiddlestans lol. Way worse on here, anyway.
I too am curious about Derrickson. I think this may have some great visuals.
@Katie
*whispers* you are talking to them.
@Farhi, *whispers* did you have a nice Christmas? And some of us like Fassy and Eddie too.
He really should just never open his mouth – unless it’s to do his trademark – speak very quickly style of ‘acting.’ Not sold on this as there were so many better options than him.
yes I guess he thinks the bulk of the audience has never seen a magician on screen and missed out on his Harry Potter lessons because because he was too young.
He looks perfect for this role. Can’t wait.
Agree Punkymomma and (downthread) Boston Green Eyes.
I actually like his look in these promo stills.
My goodness, he looks handsome in these pics!
Well, looks like they got the costume right.
He’s not my cuppa but this look really works for him!
I agree. It’s a good look.
His profile is better than his frontal. I like the look too, tho’ I’m already cringing at the words that will be vomited out of his mouth over the next year now that the buildup is starting… oy vey.
Doctor Strange is a sorcerer, can we have hope he will in some point meet Loki?
He does in the comics. And gets his butt kicked until Thor comes to his rescue.
That soinds like fun.
haha! I’d love to see that.
Strange only beat Loki only once and only when Loki’s power was restricted due to him being partially in another dimension -every other time he beats Strange hands down.Loki is a demi god as well as a magician so no contest.
I imagine they will boost Strange up initially but no matter -I do not like that look and it does nothing to make me want to see the film any more than I did before. The art work lacks innovation and seems dated.I am intrigue to see what Tilda will look like- now that that could be intersting
@ice, I actually find the artwork really nice. This harkens to some Sandman visuals for me http://www.ew.com/sites/default/files/1450878107/Mystery-Strange-EW-001.jpg
Didn’t TH say he had a 6-film deal? An appearance in a future Strange film would be a possibility, if he’s not slated for Infinity Wars I & 2.
Yes, Nutballs, a six film deal although small cameos apparently don’t count. Word is that Marvel will use mostly the newer characters (Ant man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Wasp, Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Strange) in Infinity 1 and save the older ones for Infinity 2, although both movies will film at the same time.
I have worked out what I dislike about his look as Strange It reminds me of a pantomime villain,.
@Jimmy Pants nothing wrong with the look but it is not very inventive if you just do an approximate copy and add nothing to it it just becomes a copy or pastiche
um…that’s what Strange looks like. he’s a dead ringer for the original tbh
no more than i want him on Sherlock this Christmas but you never know
I think he’s pulling off the look of the part from the photos. This is high praise from moi!
I’m not sure if I’m dreading or eagerly anticipating the words he is going to speak as the PR ramps up. I know there will be cringes. Many cringes. But will they be excellent-for-snark cringes or just plain old cringing-cringes? I’m hoping the former.
We have more than 11 months to go before this thing hits theaters. I’m dreading the sheer amount of words he will utter but I too am hoping for excellent-for-snark cringes. It will make it all more bearable.
I want them to be better* than Jon Snow words, not just many words!
* When I say better, I mean more amusing, obviously.
There’s just so much more potential, given the size of the ego and the total universe-soaking of Marvel PR.
Same. On all counts. 🙂
Perhaps if there’s no Oscar campaigning we’ll get back to the excellent-for-snark cringes that used to reign on DUC’s posts. I do miss the tone of the old threads…
Nutballs who what is DUC?
A couple of years ago, a simply marvelous pap shot came out consisting of a series of pictures of an EXTREMELY lit Benedict being maneuvered into a cab by his long-suffering personal assistant Emily. Since Emily happens to be his niece, the Celebitchy Collective dubbed him Drunk Uncle Cumby (DUC for short.)
It’s my favourite Cumberbatch cognomen.
Even better news from this EW issue is that The Night Manager will air on AMC in April.
BBC1 viewers get it in February…
No threadjacking! Although Entertainment Weekly has a “First Look.”
Yes, I wasn’t expecting that and then realized with a Feb UK premier date, we’ll be getting some promo for this. Woot Woot!
Pine! Guns! Stubble! Hot Sex Under Mosquito Netting!
It’s my birthday, so I’m threadjacking shamelessly… 😉
I don’t remember mosquito netting in the book. I remember luxury accommodations in Luxor, a seedy hotel in wintry Canada, and an air conditioned mansion in the Caribbean.
HB🎂🎉👍
@Lilac, I think Nuts was referring to the change of locale adapted in the miniseries.
@Nutty, happy birthday!
Happy Birthday, Nutballs.
Happy Birthday Nutty!
I’m holding out hope the Sailboat! and the Sarong! from the book get some screen time, but it’s not likely given the change of locales. Still, a girl can daydream can’t she?
Happy Bday Nutballs!! Have a really nutty day today!! With lots of cake and party and dancing and threadjacking… 🙂
Thank you ladies! I got my two free birthday coffees and managed to break away from work to see Danish Girl, so it was a good day.
My reference to the mosquito netting is from the sexy BBC1 clip of Pine & Sophie. I want to see that scene in MORE DETAIL. Along with lakehouse lovin’. And Jack Bauer inspired bomber jackets and aviators. And dripping wet pool scenes.
happy Birthday NUTBALLS and the pictures look good so far
Feb in UK and being promoted by radio times already-so hopefully we will get something here soon
“I’m genuinely worried that Benedict had to sign some nine-picture contract with Marvel just to play Doctor Strange”
I’m too lazy to find the source, but an interview he did a few months back, he said it was a 5-movie contract.
it shows how much he wanted the part but yes i agree it a long time to be tied up but it still depends on how he goes as to how much they will use
Ugh.. could not care less about Benedict Cumberbatch or his movies.
I’m nto sure what’s so bad about those quotes? They are not insightful or funny or anything, but what’s so bad about them? Yes, he’s saying obvious things, but it’s a movie that he barely started making, he doesn’t really have much to say about it.
Nothing’s wrong with the quotes. …
I don’t see anything wrong other than his face, which looks surprisingly nice with the cape collar and merkin.
I am so happy that the tumblr darlings have left this website, I don’t think I could read any more comments about his “fake marriage” and his “anchor baby”, and tears that they see in his eyes and get to the stuff that I enjoy which is his work.
I am super excited for this film, and also because of Chiwitel and Mads Mikkelson
… sorry but once an actor shows too much snark and snootiness as a celeb, i lose interest in seeing that person anywhere in film/tv. He’s not a bad actor and can be multidimensional, sure … but then he’s not very attractive, and it’s a shame the role didn’t go to a better fit for the storyline. just my op.
I wish Jake Gyllenhaal had been Doctor Strange 🙁