Here are some more new photos of Benedict Cumberbatch, this time outside of the BBC Studios this morning. He’s probably jetlagged and going on very little sleep, but I think he looks really nice in these photos. After a Cumberdrought, I expect that we’ll be getting lots of photos of Bendy in the next few weeks as he trots around Europe and America promoting Doctor Strange.
Doctor Strange doesn’t come out here in America until November 5th, two Fridays from now. But the Marvel hype machine is already in full bloom, and even though reviews have been temporarily embargoed, Rotten Tomatoes still has the film at 100%, based off of interest and hype for the film. The few critical pieces I have read – like this one on Vox – say that it’s a good Marvel film for Marvel novices, in that you don’t have to go in knowing much of any backstory on the character, nor are there many callbacks to other superhero franchises. Vox makes the story sound cheeseball, but everyone says the film is visually stunning.
I said a while back that I think that the box office is going to be hampered by the fact that it’s opening the weekend before Election Day. People are either going to want to stay home and watch the news, or they’re going to want to get out of the house and go to the movies. It’s a tossup. Currently, the film is on track to have a domestic opening weekend of $55-75 million. I’ve seen some people say that Marvel thinks it will probably be just short of $60 million, although Marvel could be low-balling that projection so everyone will say “OMG, it’s a massive hit” when it makes $77 million. Marvel also apparently hopes that Strange will end up making $1 billion worldwide. Do you think it can? Hm…
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Not interested, so I won’t contribute to the box office.
This movie is utterly racist. Tilda Swinton stealing an Asian role, the director being unapologetic, they turn a caucasian villain in the comics into a black man. So much for diversity. Marvels white bro attempt at diversity stinks and this movie deserves to fail. Unfortunately it will not because it’s a hyped up box office blockbuster. I’m still hoping this movie bombs to teach Hollywood bigwigs to stop being jerks to minorities, and because I’m sick of comic book movies.
FYI, a villain role is much sought after by actors. They’re considered juicy, with lots of room to crew scenery. In fact, the film rests on the memorability and talent of the villain, after the hero, of course.
Please don’t whitesplain this to me. Yes it’s a juicy role when you have the privilege of choosing your roles. But we’re talking about representation here and what that means for minorities.
they changed chiwetel’s character, not a villain but a mix of two characters–make sense, since Mordo was a crap villain. he’s an anti-hero now (idk if people want spoilers here).
I agree, I can´t with people plugging this racist mess.
Yeah and the original fictional character in the comic gets slack for being stereotypical Asian. Oh wait, did I say fictional? Yes I did. This is not real and you know they will not come out and say this decision is because they want their investment back by shilling this movie in China.
This is no charity making a racist decision about who will be the next HR manager or CEO. This is a multi billion company making money, lots and lots of money. They don’t care about your whitewashing issues if it’s not making them top dollar. And newsflash, we’re all part of this sick system.
Even if the CEO was a Tibetan monk the investors would still make him use a white female for this part if the market asks for it. So if you want to complain, complain about the Chinese market and/or don’t pay for anything Marvel/Disney related.
These people are waaaay beyond racist, they are addicted to the green stuff in their wallets and complaining to and about every person that wants to add some perspective, valid or not, really isn’t helping anyone make their point.
Erm, just because Marvel doesn´t care about my “whitewashing issues” doesn´t mean that I have to stop having them, ya know? The whole Dr. Strange origin story is horribly offensive and should have been rewritten front to back. Also, why should I think it is ok for Marvel to help China´s continuous deplorable handling of Tiebt? Your argument is basically “they are doing it for the money, so shut up”. Well, that´s not very compelling.
Mieke your argument makes no sense. Uhm the system sucks that’s the way it is and you minorities should just suck it up, btw it’s not and never the white elite’s it’s all because of China. Way to go with your whitesplaining
I saw the preview they’re running at Disney California Adventure, and it’s really beautiful. It’s The Maxtrix meets The Inception, only done better. It will definitely make $1B worldwide if it’s released in China because audiences in China love special effects movies.
A billion? No, but it will do great. The review embargo is dropping and all the trade papers really liked it. That’s impressive. I’m not sure what Marvel’s first “failure” will be but it won’t be this one.
Agree. I think it will do well. Maybe 700-800 million. But over a billion is a stretch. I don’t think there are that many Marvel movies that made more than a billion. And this one is with a new character and a new actor, mostly unknown to Americans.
put it in perspective, 800-ish million was what Batman v Superman made.
if a totally unknown character the average moviegoer has never heard of before makes the same levels of money….
No it will not make one billion dollars WW. For that to happen it’s going to need to make $300M+ domestically and that’s not going to happen. I don’t think a lot of the general audience really cares to see this movie especially because of Election Day coming up. And then after that you have a packed December in terms of movies. I can see an Ant-Man type run though. And an inflation in numbers due to it being released in China. But one billion? Guardians of the Galaxy didn’t even do that.
OT but I still think Deadpool’s box office run is shocking to me. $786M WW and $363M domestically….just crazy in my opinion.
I tried watching Deadpool recently to see what the hype was about. I couldn’t do it. The 4th wall breaking was just a no go. And the Deadpool character was so obnoxious. I still don’t get how it did so well.
That’s Deadpool’s character (fourth wall, jokes etc) and Ryan Reynolds embodied the role so well that people probably think he IS Deadpool. You have films like The Hangover and Ted who employ a similar type of humor that were successful. Add to the fact that Deadpool is Marvel’s top selling comic (or was earlier in the year), the marketing the movie had and the fact that Ryan Reynolds was able to bring the character straight out of the comic to the big screen, it’s not so shocking. Not everyone is going to agree with you on your opinion. This is one of those times. But if you follow Deadpool it’s success while is shocking because of the rating it had, no 3D and not being released in China….it was such an accurate portrayal of the character that the success it did have, is much deserved. I’m not surprised that it was a success. I’m surprised that it was as successful as it was because no one thought that the general audience would come out in droves to see it.
I’m not into marvel or comic book movies or anything really in that genre – but omg I LOVED Deadpool. Loved loved loved it. It was so effing funny. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a definite must watch.
I reckon the Chinese market will be the one to push it over the billion mark (if it does at all).
BC is *huge* in China thanks to Sherlock, and the omission of any references to Tibet ensured Doctor Strange made it past the censors.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I think China is one of (if not outright) the biggest film consumers in the world.
Explains a lot about the state of Hollywood at the moment.
It will do well be cause MARVEL but not a billion because it isn’t a well known character like Iron Man, Captain America etc.
On another Marvel note, has anyone been following the castings for Black Panther? Can’t wait!
It’s probably going to be the only movie where black characters aren’s whitewashed.
Which will be super refreshing
I am really looking forward to Black Panther!
I more excited about Black Panther than Strange… but I still plan to be there opening weekend. I seriously doubt it’ll go higher than 800 mill though.
I just bought our tickets for next Thursday night because that is what we do with Marvel films. I’ll be the only one of our group not wearing a costume of a MCU character. But yes, I’m more excited about Black Panther, GOTG2, and Ragnorak than I am about Strange. As others are saying, I expect it will make somewhere in the range between Ant Man and GOTG.
The reviews, critics and otherwise, have been really good for Strange. Lots of acting praise, particularly for Cumberbatch, Swinton and Mikkelsen.
My guess is more than Ant-man but less than the second Thor, going by budget and adjusting for inflation.
Despite Guardians being a huge hit, it wasn’t as profitable as you’d think. It was massively overbudget at $232 million. Add in marketing and promo, and the profit is $400 million-ish. Ant-man’s profit was likely over $300 million given its budget.
I’m interested in Strange and Black Panther. Didn’t care that much about Guardians and I thought the second Thor was probably the weakest of the newer Marvel movies. Hopefully three will prove me wrong, but it sounds like it’s going to be more Planet Hulk than Thor now.
I never watch Marvel movies because it’s just not my thing, but this one looks amazing. The preview definitely has me intrigued. Despite the criticism of the casting, I think they made excellent choices – everyone seems perfect for their roles.
“Boo! A Madea Halloween” is set to make 10 bajillion dollars worldwide.
…so looking forward to seeing this…the hip hop clip…lol lol lol…unfortunately the genre stinks so Tyler will never get the awards he deserves but one day he may be richer than Oprah…
I sort of love that, so far, none of these dark-and-gritty superhero movies has been able to dethrone the goofball antihero (Deadpool). I do hope Wonder Woman will beat him, though.
Deadpool was a “see for yourself” type of movie and those always make money. I’m one that went to watch it because one friend told me how great it was and another told me it was nonsense. I suspect it was that way for many, who ended up watching it to form their own opinion.
I agree and disagree. If it was a see for yourself movie, it wouldn’t have had the type of legs that it did at the box office for a comic book movie. I think it’s opening weekend was the “see for yourself” idea that you’re talking about. But when you factor in its reviews, audience ratings and the fact that it’s the second best selling Blu-Ray/DVD of 2016 behind only Star Wars, id say it was more than just “see for yourself” and that most folks actually enjoyed it. A movie doesn’t get to $363M domestically and become the second best selling DVD/Blu-Ray, based on “see for yourself.”
I got to attend the premier last week. Knew nothing about the comics or the controversial casting and absolutely loved it. I think I said “Holy sh*t” outloud several times during the movie. I loved the visuals… done masterfully. And Benedict and Tilda and the whole cast were perfect in their roles. I would see it again.
…the trailer is boring…looks exactly like the trailer for airbender….now John Wick 2..
yummy…
I think it will do well but not $1b – Bendy doesn’t have that kind of star power. Like most comic book movies it will of course be visually stunning, they usually do to hide weak plot, editing and acting. Look at SW:TFA, visually stunning but lacked a decent plot and the acting was dodgy.
No. Doctor Strange is not going to make a billion dollars. Strange is an extremely obscure character and doesn’t have the built in recognition like Joker or Harley Quinn or other comicbook characters that made their debut this year. This movie is expected to do Ant Man level of business at the box office. As long as it makes somewhere between 500-600 million at the box office, it will be considered a success.There have been a few complaints about it being a typical origin story but it’s being hailed as a strong entry into the MCU, with amazing fight sequences, characters and visual effects, which is what you expect from a Doctor Strange movie.
Last I checked it had a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. I expect it to drop and settle around the 80s mark in the long run, which would be very good for an origin story.
$200-$300 mil worldwide methinks
I have no interest at all in seeing Cucumberbatch in anything.
I do think it will do well, but I doubt it will get 1 billion. I think it will probably do better than Ant-Man, but not much better.
The only reason why I would even see this movie is to see Mads
Cumby raided Hiddles’ wardrobe, down to the grey shoes!
As for the billion worldwide, I really doubt Marvel is expecting that–they would be predicting a higher opening weekend in that case. I’d be surprised if Dr Strange out-performed FastFurious7 in China, but it will do well. Getting the supernatural stuff past the censors is tricky, but I’m sure Marvel has been working closely with officials there.
I had no interest in seeing this movie cuz i don’t know who or what Dr.Strange is but today i watched the trailers on youtube. And wow the movie looks good, so visuell beautiful and even Alien Cumberbatch looks attractive! I’ll go and see it with my friends.
Probably not $1B unless it really takes off. But I don’t think anyone is really expecting that.
Most likely it will come in somewhere between Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy, which would be a solid take for the first film for a new character in the MCU.
I’m excited to see it because of Cumberbatch, Swinton, Ejiofor, McAdams and Mads. And the visuals sound really interesting.