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Tag: doctor-strange

  • Benedict Cumberbatch Says ‘Doctor Strange 3’ is in Development

    Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange'. Photo: Marvel Studios.
    Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

    Preview:

    • Benedict Cumberbatch has addressed the future of MCU character Doctor Strange.
    • He confirms a new film featuring Strange is in development.
    • And he’ll sit out one upcoming ‘Avengers’ movie but feature prominently in the other.

    If you’ve been patiently waiting for news of the next steps for popular Marvel Cinematic Universe character Doctor Stephen Strange, then you’ll have to go on being patient for a while yet, at least in terms of official announcements.

    Yet British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who has played the role since 2016’s ‘Doctor Strange’ properly introduced him into the MCU, is now speaking up about the future of the character.

    In a new interview with Variety to promote other upcoming projects, Cumberbatch confirmed that a third stand-alone ‘Doctor Strange’ outing is in development.

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    Here’s what Cumberbatch said about the movie and Marvel:

    “They are very open to discussing where we go next. Who do you want to write and direct the next one? What part of the comic lore do you want to explore so that Strange can keep evolving? He’s a very rich character to play. He’s a complex, contradictory, troubled human who’s got these extraordinary abilities, so there’s potent stuff to mess about with.”

    And that wasn’t all; Cumberbatch also addressed Strange’s potential role going forward within the wider MCU, revealing that the character currently won’t show up in the next ‘Avengers’ movie, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ as his character reportedly “doesn’t align with that part of the story.”

    That’s partly because of the changes wrought by Jonathan Majors’ firing as Kang in the wake of his assault charges. The shift from ‘The Kang Dynasty’ to Doomsday has seen a change to Dr. Doom becoming the chief antagonist, with Robert Downey Jr. returning to the Marvel fold to take that role.

    Cumberbatch amusingly recalls what happened when he learned –– along with the public –– of Downey’s return when it was announced at the San Diego Comic-Con last year.

    The actor recalls contacting Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige:

    “I texted, ‘What the f***?’ and then quickly added, ‘Good what-the-f***. I mean, good what-the-f***.’ ”

    He will, however, have a sizeable role in ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ (more on that below).

    Related Article: Oscar-Nominee Benedict Cumberbatch Talks Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Where did we leave Doctor Strange?

    (L to R) Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.' Photo: Marvel Studios.
    (L to R) Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.

    At the end of 2022’s ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,’ we saw Strange developing a mystical third eye power (a result of contact with the dangerous magic tome the Darkhold) and being whisked away from New York by Clea (Charlize Theron), who informed him that his activity had led to an incursion between universes, one he’d have to help fix.

    With zero plot details on a potential third Strange outing, we’d figure this may well play into a future outing, especially since it seems a waste to introduce Theron and not explore her character (though that’s not without precedent –– see the end of ‘Eternals,’ which introduced more than one character that has yet to make any further appearance).

    And while Sam Raimi directed that movie, and has indicated his willingness to return, we don’t yet know who might make the next ‘Strange’ film.

    What is ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’?

    'Avengers: Secret Wars'.
    ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

    ‘Secret Wars’ would draw from (through the usual Marvel movie filter where changes will be made) a pair of 1980s comic book series focused on an all-powerful antagonist known as the Beyonder, who in the first installment pitted Marvel’s heroes and villains against each other on a planet known as Battleworld.

    In a 2015 revival by Jonathan Hickman, the resulting conflict left the multiverse collapsed, the survivors living on a single planet ruled by classic villain Doctor Doom.

    What else does Benedict Cumberbatch have coming up?

    Benedict Cumberbatch promoting Marvel Studios' 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.'
    Benedict Cumberbatch promoting Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

    In addition to putting the cloak back on as Strange, Cumberbatch has a typically eclectic mix of projects in the works.

    He’ll next be seen in movie ‘The Thing With Feathers,’ adapted from Max Porter’s 2015 novella ‘Grief Is the Thing With Feathers,’ which Cumberbatch has been trying to bring to screens for a few years now.

    It follows a father struggling to hold his family together after his wife dies suddenly. He starts to imagine that he and his children are being terrorized by a monstrous crow.

    Then there’s a reunion with director Wes Anderson (for whom the actor starred in a set of short films last year) in ‘The Phoenician Scheme,’ a dark tale of espionage following a strained father-daughter relationship within a family business.

    Here’s what Cumberbatch says about working with the filmmaker:

    “I feel like, ‘Why hasn’t this been happening for years and years?’ I just wish I could build a time machine and go back and work on all those other films with him.”

    There’s also ‘The Roses,’ a take on ‘The War of the Roses’ with Cumberbatch playing opposite Olivia Colman as a clashing couple.

    Along with those, there are the myriad movies and TV shows he’s involved with as a producer and a role in Guy Ritchie’s next movie, ‘Wife and Dog,’ a based-on-truth story of a scientist discovering that a leading pesticide is a toxic threat to human life.

    When will ‘Doctor Strange 3’ be in theaters?

    There is no set release date for the third ‘Doctor Strange’ movie as of yet, which is not surprising since neither Marvel nor Disney has confirmed anything about it yet.

    We do at least know that ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ will be on screens on May 1st, 2026, followed by ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ on May 7th, 2027.

    Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'. Photo: Marvel Studios.
    Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

    Other Movies and TV Shows Featuring Doctor Strange:

    Buy ‘Doctor Strange’ Movies On Amazon

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  • Scott Derrickson to Direct New ‘Night of the Hunter’ Movie

    (Left) 'The Black Phone' director Scott Derrickson. (RIght) Robert Mitchum in 1955's 'The Night of the Hunter.' Photo: United Artists.
    (Left) ‘The Black Phone’ director Scott Derrickson. (RIght) Robert Mitchum in 1955’s ‘The Night of the Hunter.’ Photo: United Artists.

    Preview:

    • Scott Derrickson is directing a new version of ‘Night of the Hunter’.
    • He’s writing a new adaptation of the 1953 crime novel.
    • Universal is releasing the new movie.

    There is always something of an outcry, particularly online when filmmakers dare to revisit movies that are considered classics.

    But there seems to be less of a reaction to Scott Derrickson, who most recently made horror hit ‘The Black Phone’, setting up a new take on 1955 movie ‘Night of the Hunter’.

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    In this case, it feels less like a cynical IP cash grab and more like a director with a real love for movie history identifying a fresh take on a classic tale.

    What’s the story of ‘Night of the Hunter’?

    Robert Mitchum in 1955's 'The Night of the Hunter.'
    Robert Mitchum in 1955’s ‘The Night of the Hunter.’ Photo: United Artists.

    While the story is best known because of the 1955 Robert Mitchum-starring movie, it originates with a 1953 crime novel written by Davis Grubb.

    Grubb’s book, and the novel, is the story of Harry Powell, a murderous ex-con who takes up the identity of a preacher in order to do his misdeeds. While in prison, a cellmate slated for execution tells Powell that he hid stolen cash with his kids. Upon his release, Powell finds the widow, woos her and marries her, all in a bid to find the loot. Things only gets worse for the kids from there….

    The movie is considered a film noir classic and certainly sets a high bar. The movie, directed by Charles Laughton and also starring Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish, was selected for preservation into the United States National Registry in 1992. It is regularly cited as an influential title by many people working in the industry.

    Who else is working on the new ‘Night of the Hunter’?

    The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) and Finney Shaw (Mason Thames) in 'The Black Phone.'
    (L to R) The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) and Finney Shaw (Mason Thames) in ‘The Black Phone,’ directed by Scott Derrickson.

    Derrickson will, as usual, work with his regular creative partner, C. Robert Cargill, who co-wrote the likes of ‘Doctor Strange’, ‘The Black Phone’ and the ‘Sinister’ movies. Together, the pair has become a reliable team of filmmakers across different genres.

    Right now, the duo is deep in preparing to make the sequel to ‘The Black Phone’, which will reunite much of the first movie’s cast, including Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames, and is scheduled to hit screens on June 27th next year.

    Related Article: Director Scott Derrickson Says There’s ‘No Bad Blood’ With Marvel After Leaving ‘Doctor Strange’ Sequel

    When will this new ‘Night of the Hunter’ hit theaters?

    There is no release date for the movie yet, mostly because it’s at a very early stage of development and Derrickson and Cargill will be busy on the ‘Black Phone’ sequel for the foreseeable future.

    Robert Mitchum in 1955's 'The Night of the Hunter.'
    (Right) Robert Mitchum in 1955’s ‘The Night of the Hunter.’ Photo: United Artists.

    Other Scott Derrickson Movies:

    Buy Scott Derrickson Movies on Amazon

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  • Scott Derrickson on Why He Left ‘Doctor Strange 2’

    (Left) 'The Black Phone' director Scott Derrickson. (Right) Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' from Marvel Studios.
    (Left) ‘The Black Phone’ director Scott Derrickson. (Right) Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ from Marvel Studios.

    It’s more than a year since Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange’ sequel ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ landed in theaters with Sam Raimi as its director.

    Scott Derrickson, who directed the first ‘Strange’ outing, had been on track to make the second (joining the likes of Jon Favreau, Peyton Reed and the Russo brothers in sticking around for more than one movie about a Marvel character) when he suddenly left the project, citing creative differences.

    He went on to make successful horror movie ‘The Black Phone’ instead and has stuck with terror his latest gig, an entry in anthology creep-fest ‘V/H/S/85’. But according to the filmmaker, he harbors no ill will towards anyone at Marvel, and thinks he made the right choice to leave the movie.

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    Scott Derrickson talks about leaving ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez
    (L-R): Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    In a new interview to promote his latest work, Derrickson insists that his reasoning for leaving the ‘Strange’ sequel remains solid.

    Here’s what he told The Playlist’s ‘The Discourse’ podcast:

    “All I can say is that what we said publicly is exactly the truth. We had real creative differences. You know, the movie I wanted to make and how I wanted to make it was different than –– it was just increasingly obvious that we were pulling against each other. And that’s how you make a really bad movie, I think. When the producer or the studio and the filmmaker are making different movies, you end up with a monstrosity and, you know, that’s why I had to bounce.”

    Though Sam Raimi’s version of the ‘Strange’ follow-up certainly had its horror-tinged moments, the movie that Derrickson had been developing was, in his words, an “extreme departure” from the first and leaned much more heavily into the scares. But it was not to be.

    Is Derrickson still friendly with Marvel?

    Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.'
    (L to R) Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

    Despite the differences and his ultimate departure, Derrickson has not burned any bridges with Marvel HQ.

    As he outlines:

    “I went to the premiere. I’m still friends with Kevin [Feige] and everything with me and Marvel is really cool. They invited me to the premiere, and I went. And I’m friends with Sam [Raimi]. I love Sam, so there’s no bad blood over that.”

    In the end, it worked out for everyone. While ‘Multiverse of Madness’ didn’t enjoy quite the same level of critical appreciation as the first movie, it still made almost a billion dollars worldwide. Derrickson, meanwhile, saw ‘The Black Phone’ (adapted from a Joe Hill story and starring Ethan Hawke as a child-snatching baddie) earn more than $180 million worldwide on an $18 million budget.

    ‘V/H/S/85’, meanwhile, will land on horror-focused streaming service Shudder this Friday.

    'The Black Phone' director Scott Derrickson.
    ‘The Black Phone’ director Scott Derrickson.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness:’

    Buy ‘Doctor Strange’ Movies On Amazon

    To watch our exclusive interviews with Scott Derrickson and the cast of ‘The Black Phone,’ please click on the video player below.

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  • Benedict Cumberbatch Teases Doctor Strange Return

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios' 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.'
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

    When we last saw Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, he was being spirited away on a new adventure by Charlize Theron’s Clea, a character fans have long wanted to see adapted from Marvel Comics.

    Now, according to Cumberbatch himself, we might have more of an idea when we’ll see the good –– and not always so good –– Doctor, as talking during a long interview for the JW3 Speaker series, he said, “there are some Marvel capers in the making next year.”

    Intriguing!

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    Where we left Doctor Strange

    Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez
    (L-R): Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    At the end of 2022’s ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’, Strange, freshly returned from his trip to parallel worlds and a battle against Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff (who was looking to harness the power of the multiverse to be reunited with her children), is insisting to Wong (Benedict Wong) that he hasn’t been affected by the dark magic of the tome known as the Darkhold.

    But moments later, as he walks down the street he collapses to his knees in pain, screaming as a third eye (similar to one used by his “dark” alternate self in another universe) opens on his forehead.

    In the first post-credits scene for the movie, we learn what happens next, more or less. Jumping forward in time, the scene follows Strange out for another walk with a scarf on, only to find himself confronted by a purple-costumed woman who appears from another dimension.

    Her name is Clea, and she has a bone to pick with Strange. “You caused an incursion, and we’re gonna fix it,” she tells him. This calls back to a threat mentioned in the main body of the film, where multiversal travel is noted to risk “incursions” where two universes collide, and one is destroyed.

    Insisting he’s not afraid, Strange transforms his scarf into his usual cloak and he heads off with Clea.

    Related Article: Benedict Cumberbatch Talks ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    What does the future hold for Doctor Strange?

    Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.'
    (L to R) Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

    Naturally, since this involves Marvel, there is very little to go on besides Cumberbatch’s statement since the studio is notoriously tricky in what it reveals ahead of time.

    We don’t, therefore, know whether this will be a new stand-alone Strange adventure or point to him teaming up for the new ‘Avengers’ movies planned for the future.

    While Disney/Marvel’s release calendar is full for the next couple of years, there are some “untitled” slots that a new Strange movie could fill.

    And according to ‘Multiverse of Madness’ writer Michael Waldron, that could well include Clea.

    Here’s what he told Gizmodo:

    “We knew that we wanted to introduce Clea. She’s Strange’s great love in the comics and it was felt to me like Strange wasn’t at the point at the start of our movie where he was ready to meet the love of his life. It felt like we had to close the loop with he and Christine Palmer. And so, after she gives him her wisdom to not be afraid of loving someone, then it felt like we were right to tease what could be eventually with he and Clea.”

    But then there are also the Avengers movies –– ‘The Kang Dynasty’ and ‘Secret Wars’, which are scheduled for 2026 and 2027. There’s a fair chance that Cumberbatch will be back in action besides other Marvel characters, even if those movies have recently been pushed back by the ongoing writers’ strike and potential actors’ industrial action.

    If you’re eagerly anticipating a Strange return, now you have more reason to be excited.

    Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'
    Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ from Marvel Studios.

    Other Movies Featuring Doctor Strange:

    Buy ‘Doctor Strange’ Movies On Amazon

     

  • Scott Adkins Talks ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday’

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    Opening in theaters, on digital and on demand beginning October 14th is ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday,’ which is a sequel to 2018’s ‘Accident Man,’ and was based on the British comic strip of the same name created by Pat Mills and Tony Skinner.

    Directed by The Kirby Brothers (George and Harry Kirby), the new sequel sees the return of Scott Adkins as Mike Fallon, who must beat the top assassins in the world to protect the ungrateful son of a mafia boss (George Fouracres), save the life of his only friend (Perry Benson) and rekindle his relationship with his maniacal father figure (Ray Stevenson).

    Scott Adkins is an accomplished actor and martial artist and has appeared in such popular movies as ‘The Bourne Ultimatum,’ ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine,’ ‘The Expendables 2,’ ‘Zero Dark Thirty,’ ‘Doctor Strange,’ ‘Ip Man 4: The Finale,’ and most recently, Netflix’s ‘Day Shift.’

    He will next be seen opposite Keanu Reeves in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4,’ which is scheduled for release on May 24th, 2023.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Scott Adkins about ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday,’ making the sequel, its new story, new characters, returning to the role, the fight scenes, reuniting with Ray Stevenson, why the Kirby Brothers were the right filmmakers to direct this movie, and working with Keanu Reeves on the upcoming ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’

    Scott Adkins as Mike Fallon in the action/thriller film, 'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday.'
    Scott Adkins as Mike Fallon in the action/thriller film, ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday,’ a Samuel Goldwyn Films release. Photo courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    You can read our full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview with Scott Adkins about ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday.’

    Moviefone: To begin with, when making the first film, at what point did you realize that these characters and this story would make a great sequel and franchise?

    Scott Adkins: Well, when I was a kid, it was a comic book. I grew up reading it, and I always thought it would make a great film. So, I must admit that making the first one, I was hoping that it would do well, because I knew it could be a franchise if the public responded to it well. So, that was always there in the back of my head, but you don’t want to tempt fate, do you?

    It took us a few years since the first one to get the second one across the finish line, to be honest. The pandemic didn’t help and other reasons. But for sure, ‘Accident Man’ works as a franchise. There’re many more stories to be told.

    MF: As an actor, what do you like about playing Mike Fallon?

    SA: First of all, he’s an expert martial artist, and that’s kind of my bag, so I knew I could do that. What I loved about the comic was how British it was, and how violent and funny it was at the same time. Comics were like that back in the day, but you never used to make movies like that. Everyone was scared to make those sorts of movies, and it was hard for me to get producers to sign on to it for a while.

    But I think when ‘Deadpool’ came out, that really showed that it’s okay to have a lot of fun and be a little bit rude, and have violence, and swear words, and that people are going to have a good time watching it. Because growing up in England, reading things like ‘2000 AD,’ that’s the way comic books were. They were quite adult in many ways, and that was the vision for the thing. We wrote ‘Accident Man’ before ‘Deadpool’ came out, by the way.

    Beau Fowler as Paco The Killer Clown and Scott Adkins as Mike Fallon in the action/thriller film, 'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday.'
    (L to R) Beau Fowler as Paco The Killer Clown and Scott Adkins as Mike Fallon in the action/thriller film, ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday,’ a Samuel Goldwyn Films release. Photo courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    MF: Can you talk about filming the action scenes in ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday,’ and working out the fight choreography with the stunt coordinators and the other actors?

    SA: I was a lot more involved this time around. I’m always very involved with the fights, of course, but I was even more involved this time because my go-to guy, Tim Mann, who did the fights in the first one, we couldn’t get him. He had already choreographed some fights, and then he took another project. So, we were kind of scrambling. Andy Long choreographed the fights that I have with him, and he also choreographed and shot another fight that happens with Sarah Chang‘s character.

    But then it was a mix and match. The directors, there’s Harry and there’s George, and George is a stuntman himself. In fact, the first time I met him was on ‘Doctor Strange’ because he was stunt doubling Benedict Cumberbatch. So, they are really clued up with the action as well. It was a lot of people just mucking into choreographing it and shooting these action sequences.

    They’re all daunting because I know that they’re all going to hurt. It’s like you wake up in the morning, you have a fight scene day, and you’re like, “Oh my God, this is going to suck.” You’ve just got to grit your teeth and get through it. They’re all daunting, man. People get hurt. It is painful. If it’s not painful, you’re not doing it right. I do loads of them, of course. It’s all part of it. I’m a lifelong martial artist.

    You condition your body to get hit, and that’s part of the gig. Sometimes you get hit hard in the face by accident, or accidents happen. On this one, the action was sort of front loaded the first week. It was all the end stuff we did first. So, finishing the first week, going into the second week of a four-week shoot, I was already injured. I hurt my knee, and that really sucks when you’re injured. But, if you do enough action films, you’re going to be injured for a few of them.

    Perry Benson as Finicky Fred and Scott Adkins as Mike Fallon in the action/thriller film, 'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday.'
    (L to R) Perry Benson as Finicky Fred and Scott Adkins as Mike Fallon in the action/thriller film, ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday,’ a Samuel Goldwyn Films release. Photo courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    MF: Can you talk about Mike’s friendship with Finicky Fred and how that forwards the plot?

    SA: In the first one, he kills all of his friends. He thinks they’re his friends, but he ends up killing most of them. So, we wanted this film to be about finding the importance of having friends and family in your life, even though you may be a stone-cold killer. We all need friends, we all need mates, we all need people to rely on, and that’s essentially his arc through this story. Of course, Fred, Perry’s character, is integral to the telling of that arc.

    MF: Was the relationship between Mike and Siu-ling, played by Sarah Chang, inspired by Inspector Clouseau and Cato’s relationship in the original ‘Pink Panther’ movies?

    SA: Absolutely. I’m a big fan of ‘The Pink Panther’ movies. I’m a big fan of Peter Sellers. Some of those fights in those movies, they’re so funny. Ours is a bit more highlighting the action rather than the comedy, but that was essentially what I wanted to do.

    I wanted to make Sarah’s character kind of be like my Cato but in an updated sort of way, but have the fun of that, and that you never know when she’s going to strike. We’re probably around the same age. Our generation are going to know, but I think the kids coming up today, they probably haven’t seen those movies, and they absolutely should.

    Scott Adkins as Mike Fallon and Sarah Chang as Wong Siu-ling in the action/thriller film, 'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday.'
    (L to R) Scott Adkins as Mike Fallon and Sarah Chang as Wong Siu-ling in the action/thriller film, ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday,’ a Samuel Goldwyn Films release. Photo courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    MF: Can you also talk about working with the Kirby Brothers, and when you are making a movie like this, is it helpful to work with filmmakers who have a background in stunts and fight coordinating?

    SA: Yeah, absolutely. When I first conceived the idea of making ‘Accident Man’ as a film, I wanted it to have a Matthew Vaughn or Edgar Wright feel to it. As directors, they definitely have that sensibility. They’re very visually stylistic, and they’re English. They come from the world of stunts, so they ticked all the boxes in what I wanted ‘Accident Man’ to be.

    MF: What was it like reuniting with Ray Stevenson on this movie?

    SA: Ray’s great. He’s a consummate professional, an amazing actor, and a real team player. We were just lucky to have him in the film. He brings that gravitas to that character, and he’s got a scene where he has to explain the whole plot, and you need a great actor for something like that. Ray’s the man. He’s great.

    Ray Stevenson as Big Ray in the action/thriller film, 'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday.'
    Ray Stevenson as Big Ray in the action/thriller film, ‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday,’ a Samuel Goldwyn Films release. Photo courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    MF: Finally, what was it like for you to join the ‘John Wick’ franchise and work with Keanu Reeves on ‘John Wick: Chapter 4?’

    SA: I’m a big fan of the ‘John Wick’ films. I think they are the best action films going at the moment when it comes to what Hollywood is doing. It’s a massive thrill to be involved.

    Keanu is just, as everyone says, the nicest guy. Chad Stahelski‘s an incredible director, and it was amazing to watch him work. I can’t wait for it to come out. I’m as disappointed as everyone that it’s been delayed till March. I can’t wait to see it!

    Keanu Reeves as John Wick in 'John Wick: Chapter 4.'
    Keanu Reeves as John Wick in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’
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  • Miles Teller Starring in ‘The Gorge’

    Miles Teller plays Lt. Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw in 'Top Gun: Maverick'
    Miles Teller plays Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

    By any reasonable metric, both writer/director Scott Derrickson and actor Miles Teller have had a very good summer.

    Derrickson might have departed Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange’ sequel a couple of years ago over creative differences about the superhero sorcerer’s next outing, but he pivoted to an adaptation of a Joe Hill short story, and ‘The Black Phone’ proved to be a big success for the director and Universal.

    Starring Ethan Hawke as a masked, child-snatching terror, the horror movie (co-written with Derrickson’s regular creative partner C. Robert Cargill) earned $150 million globally off the back of a strict, Blumhouse-provided $25 million budget.

    As for Teller, the Netflix thriller ‘Spiderhead’ might not have moved the needle all that much, even with Chris Hemsworth starring as a dodgy scientist experimenting on prisoners. Yet he also co-starred alongside Tom Cruise in the summer’s biggest hit, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, which crossed the $1.42 billion mark worldwide after several release date delays – which proved to be the right call.

    So why wouldn’t they team up? And that’s exactly what’s happening.

    Derrickson has been toying with the idea of a new project at Skydance called ‘The Gorge’ for some time now. Riding high at the top of his to-do list, he’s still been wavering since his interest was announced back in March, so the Skydance team has been quick to work with him to secure a lead.

    Pictured: Jake Cannavale as Caesar, Juno Temple as Bettye McCartt and Miles Teller as Al Ruddy of the Paramount+ original series THE OFFER. Photo Cr: Nicole Wilder/Paramount+ ©2022 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

    As for Teller, he was enjoying some time off after a busy promotional schedule for ‘Spiderhead’, ‘Maverick’ and Paramount+ series ‘The Offer’, but soon agreed to star for Derrickson in the new movie.

    While a lot about the film remains a mystery, we do know that ‘The Gorge’ began life as a spec script by ‘The Tomorrow War’ writer Zach Dean, which Skydance bought last fall and has been developing ever since.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, it’s best described as a high-action, genre-bending love story about two young people, who despite the corrupt and lethal world they operate in, find a soulmate in each other during a dangerous assignment.

    As for what the title refers to? If you hit the dictionary, a gorge is defined as “a narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through it.” That sounds a more likely setting for a high-action event movie than the other definition, “to eat a large amount greedily.”

    We can more likely imagine Teller as an action hero trying to survive a wilderness adventure while falling in love than sitting at a table chowing down on food.

    More details will surely follow, but it’s a fair call that Derrickson (and Cargill, who is also among the producers) have worked on the script even before Teller saw it.

    Expect to hear more about casting on this one soon as it sounds like a top priority for all involved.

    Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in 'The Black Phone.'
    Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in ‘The Black Phone,’ directed by Scott Derrickson.
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  • Movie Review: ‘The Black Phone’

    Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in 'The Black Phone.'
    Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in ‘The Black Phone,’ directed by Scott Derrickson.

    Opening in theaters on June 24th is the new supernatural horror film ‘The Black Phone,’ from producer Jason Blum (‘Us’) and director Scott Derrickson (‘Doctor Strange’).

    Based on a short story by Joe Hill, Ethan Hawke stars as The Grabber, a child killer that abducts a 13-year-old boy named Finney (Mason Thames), who begins to receive calls on a disconnected phone from the killer’s previous victims.

    The result is a thrilling story about growing up in the 1970s, that is more interested in exploring the emotions of the kidnapped kids than the flashy villain and features superb performances from young actors Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw.

    In 1978, we are introduced to Finney (Thames) and Gwen (McGraw), who are brother and sister and living in the Denver area. Their father, Terrence (Jeremy Davies) is an abusive alcoholic raising the kids alone after his wife’s death. Like her mother, Gwen is showing signs of having psychic abilities, which angers her father. The town is on edge because a kidnapper called The Grabber (Hawke) has been abducting children, leaving only black balloons behind after the kids disappear, never to be seen again. After his best friend goes missing, Finney quickly becomes the next victim of The Grabber.

    The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) and Finney Shaw (Mason Thames) in 'The Black Phone.'
    (L to R) The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) and Finney Shaw (Mason Thames) in ‘The Black Phone,’ directed by Scott Derrickson.

    Finney is taken to a soundproof room, where he finds a disconnected phone on the wall. He begins to receive calls from The Grabber’s former victims, instructing him on how to escape. Meanwhile, Gwen is determined to find Finney, and against her father’s wishes, begins to help the police by using her powers. Now, Finney will have to summon strength that he didn’t know he had to face his fears and escape The Grabber’s hideout before it’s too late.

    Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of horror movies. But, I am a fan of good filmmaking and storytelling, which is why I liked ‘The Black Phone’ so much. While Scott Derrickson began his career as a horror director with ‘Sinister,’ much like Sam Raimi and James Wan, he has been able to transition to other genres within the horror world like the police drama ‘Deliver Us from Evil’ or the superhero movie ‘Doctor Strange.’ Both films had clear horror elements, even though they were basically a different genre. Derrickson does something similar here, with a horror movie that is really a coming-of-age story for the young lead characters.

    The film is based on a short story by Joe Hill, who is the son of Stephen King. I mentioned this only because I saw a lot of similarities between ‘The Black Phone’ and his father’s ‘The Shining.’ Both films are set in the horror genre, but neither is really a horror movie in the classic sense. ‘The Shining’ is really a haunted house story, that just happens to feature a character with psychic abilities, but that is not the movie’s main focus. The same could be said for this film, as Gwen’s powers are not the main focus but rather an extra attraction, as the real story is about how Finney will overcome his own fears to survive.

    Ethan Hawke is dazzling as The Grabber and is clearly having fun with the role in his limited screen time. Derrickson was wise to limit how much of The Grabber we see, keeping him a dark and mysterious character. Too much of the character would have taken away from Finney’s story of facing his fears and would not have had the same effect on the audience.

    Vance Hopper (Brady Hepner) and Finney Shaw (Mason Thames) in 'The Black Phone.'
    (L to R) Vance Hopper (Brady Hepner) and Finney Shaw (Mason Thames) in ‘The Black Phone,’ directed by Scott Derrickson.

    ‘Sinister’ actor James Ransone has a very funny role in the movie, which I won’t spoil but he is perfect in the part. However, Jeremy Davies’ performance as Finney and Gwen’s dad was too one-note for me. I know the character is an alcoholic, still grieving from his wife’s death, and his abuse is there to signal what Finney was too afraid to stand up to, giving him the strength to finally fight against The Grabber. But the character’s true feelings for his kids is never shown in the actor’s performance, and the child abuse scenes were just a bit too much.

    But for me, the true breakout stars of the film are young actors Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw, who were both excellent as Finney and Gwen, respectively. McGraw is absolutely believable as a young girl confused by her supernatural abilities, and her love for her brother comes is very apparent. For his role, Thames had the challenge of creating a shy and timid kid at the beginning of the film and transcending to a young man who is brave and strong enough to stand up to The Grabber. It’s surprising to see such a layered performance from an actor who is that young, which makes it all the more impressive.

    In the end, ‘The Black Phone’ is a horror movie in the sense that it deals with some horrific themes, and certainly will scare you if that is what you are looking for. But it is really a movie about growing up, facing your fears, and taking control of your own life. Those are themes audiences can relate to, no matter what genre the movie is set in.

    Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in 'The Black Phone.'
    Ethan Hawke as The Grabber in ‘The Black Phone,’ directed by Scott Derrickson.

    ‘The Black Phone’ Receives 4 out of 5 stars.

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  • Benedict Cumberbatch Talks ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'
    Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ from Marvel Studios.

    Opening in theaters on May 6th is the latest MCU movie and sequel to 2016’s ‘Doctor Strange’ entitled, ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

    Directed by Sam Raimi (‘Evil Dead II,’ ‘Spider-Man’) the new film once again stars Benedict Cumberbatch (‘The Power of the Dog’) as the title character and follows the events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and the Disney+ series ‘WandaVision’ as Strange must stop Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) from destroying the multiverse.

    In addition to Cumberbatch and Olsen, the cast also includes Benedict Wong as Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo, Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, and Xochiti Gomez as new MCU character America Chavez.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Benedict Cumberbatch about his work on ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

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    You can read our full interview with Benedict Cumberbatch below or watch the interview by clicking on the video player above.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what do you want to tell fans that are planning to see ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?’

    Benedict Cumberbatch: Welcome back. Thank you for coming in your droves to see ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and thank you for being here again. It’s just great to have you back. It’s great to have people in a seat about to see a film that I’m super proud of, and that’s got a lot of treats, thrills and surprises for you. It has some great nostalgia, and I think very interesting development of a character I love playing for you guys. I love being your Doctor Strange and I hope you love watching the film as much as we loved making it.

    MF: Director Sam Raimi introduces horror elements to the MCU with this movie. Just how scary will this film be?

    BC: It’s not ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose.’ But there are some jump scares. There’s some great cinematographer John Mathieson/Sam Raimi camera work, but it’s got to be palatable for a family. So, it’s kind of scary and it’s quite dark at times, but I wouldn’t say it’s a horror film, that’s for sure.

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: When you saw the final film for the first time, did it scare you?

    BC: First time, probably. I am very involved. I think I have a very different lens on when I’m watching my own work and it’s to give feedback for editorial notes, ADR and all the kind of post-production stuff, reshoots and everything that we kept doing to try and perfect it. I’m really looking forward to having the audience experience it in Los Angeles at the premiere, and I’ll be in that audience watching the movie. I had such a fun time doing that with ‘Spider-Man,’ and I know it’s going to be a similar ride with this, hopefully.

    That film filled so many extraordinary kinds of desires. I mean, to be in an audience and experience the humor of it and hear the laughter, hear the cheer moments, but also to hear the pin drop silence of the emotional moments landing, it was such a thrill to be viscerally amongst a community of people experiencing that. It really amplified the joy I had individually watching it. So, I’m hoping that moment will come. if there are jump scares that work with a big audience, I’ll know it when I watch it at the premiere.

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Director Sam Raimi has also said publicly that this movie will “drastically change who Doctor Strange is.” Can you talk about that?

    BC: I like to think so. I mean, there’s an awful lot going on in this film. I hope that isn’t lost on people. There is some character development, which I think is pretty crucial to him. I think we’ve seen him in his first introduction to the Marvel cinematic universe, as he was an arrogant neurosurgeon and a man trapped in a gilded cage of his own making. His ego was driving what he was doing, it was not out of a duty of caring. Then to have a duty of caring, the idea of doing things for others, being selfless and sacrificing, that came with his transition into a superhero.

    I think since the last few films he’s been pretty omnipotent and unquestionable, and then a human relationship with Peter Parker has destabilized all that and creates the need for him to help someone he both admired as a fellow soldier on the battlefield, so to speak, but also as a human being who’d lost his mentor and someone he cared about by the end of the film.

    It opened up the problem that he still faces in his own character, which is this level of arrogance believing that his way is the only way and only he can actually solve the problem. I think what he learns in this is it’s better to act together than to act alone. That’s the big shift I’d say, without pointing too much in the direction of how that happens.

    Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' from Marvel Studios.
    Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ from Marvel Studios.

    MF: Finally, would you say that in real life you are a “people person” or more of a “lone wolf?”

    BC: I think like most people, I have to be a bit of both. Certainly, with my craft, I lean massively on every department of talent, whether it’s costume and makeup or writer, director, and producer. I stand on the shoulder of many people when I’m in front of a camera doing a role, but I also then need some separation from all of that to try and own it, to believe in what I’m doing, contain it and immerse myself in it a little bit.

    That’s kind of isolating, I suppose, that’s work you have to do on your own. So, it’s a combination. I think in life, one moment I’ll be fine being in a crowd in a party, the next moment, I just want to be on my own in a room, staring at a wall with nobody but myself. I like to mix it up.

    'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Poster. Photo Courtesy of Disney+.
    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Poster. Photo Courtesy of Disney+.
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  • Movie Review: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez
    (L-R): Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    Opening in theaters on May 6th is the latest MCU movie and sequel to 2016’s ‘Doctor Strange’ entitled, ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Directed by Sam Raimi (‘Evil Dead II,’ ‘Spider-Man’) the new film once again stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the title character and follows the events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and the Disney+ series ‘WandaVision’ as Strange must stop Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) from destroying the multiverse.

    In addition to Cumberbatch and Olsen, the cast also includes Benedict Wong as Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo, Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, and Xochiti Gomez as new MCU character America Chavez. The result is a strong sequel that surpasses its predecessor and transcends the genre by introducing horror elements into the MCU. Sam Raimi delivers one of his best films, which is anchored by excellent performances from Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen.

    The movie begins with Dr. Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) having a dream of helping a mysterious young girl escape from a demon. He awakes only to see the same girl running from a monster in the streets of New York. Strange saves the girl and soon learns that she is from another universe and that her name is America Chavez (Gomez). She has the power to move through the multiverse, and the demon chasing her is trying to steal her powers.

    Strange goes to Wanda Maximoff (Olsen) for help, only to find that she is the “demon” chasing Chavez and wants her power to find her children who “disappeared” after the events of ‘WandaVision.’ In order to stop the Scarlet Witch, Strange and Chavez travel through the multiverse and meet alternate versions of Strange, Christine Palmer (McAdams), Karl Mordo (Ejiofor), and the Illuminati, which is an Avengers-level team within the multiverse comprised of new and different versions of Marvel characters.

    Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff i
    Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    Without giving anything away, the Illuminati scenes are some of the best in the film and feature real surprises for fans. The actors that play different versions of characters they’ve played before are fun to watch in these new roles, while the actors playing characters we haven’t seen in the MCU previously, are all perfectly cast and have moments to shine. In fact, the Illuminati is a team I would love to see back in the MCU again, even if it is just on an episode of Disney+’s ‘What If …?’

    As always with Marvel movies, there are two end credit scenes, and I won’t give either away. But I will say that the mid-credit scene features an A-list actress joining the MCU as a new Marvel character, and the end credit scene is just for laughs.

    What elevates this film from the original is definitely the vision of master filmmaker Sam Raimi. The creator of ‘The Evil Dead’ series, as well as the man behind the first ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy, Raimi clearly has a love for the source material, he actually name-dropped Doctor Strange in ‘Spider-Man 2.’ Obviously, he also has a gift for making scary movies, and was able to push the horror in this film in a way he could not with the ‘Spider-Man’ films. Raimi is also a master at mixing horror and comedy, as seen in ‘Army of Darkness,’ and gets to do that a bit in this movie with a run-on gag featuring his ‘Evil Dead’ star Bruce Campbell.

    Raimi fans are really going to enjoy this movie and will see his signature shots and camera movements all over the film. But the director also nicely blends his directing style with the material, the already established tone of the MCU, and the advanced visual effects that were not available when he began his career. Composer Danny Elfman’s score also adds to the horror-vibes of Rami’s film and its dark tone.

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    The script by Michael Waldron is good and covers a lot of ground quickly. One complaint I do have, is that the basic plot is just too simple. “Strange has to stop Wanda while traveling through the Multiverse to save America Chavez,” a character he just met, by the way. But it does work and delivers fun characters and set pieces along the way.

    Another downside to the movie is that it’s not really a follow up to ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ as previously believed. In fact, I think it’s only referenced once. The movie is really a follow up to the Disney+ series ‘WandaVision’ and I fear that if you didn’t see that show, some of Wanda’s motivations in the movie may be lost on you. However, the film does work hard to make you understand what happened to her and why she’d behaving this way, as misguided as it may be.

    Elizabeth Olsen first played Wanda Maximoff in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ and at the time it seemed like Marvel didn’t really know what to do with the character. But thanks to her relationship with Vision, she really grew through the latter Avengers films and has come into her own after the series and now with ‘Multiverse of Madness.’

    Scarlet Witch is a full-on villain now and Olsen plays her well, with true conviction yet an emotionally vulnerable but also somewhat relatable side. It’s unclear where Marvel will take the character from here, and whether a redemption ark is in her future, but Olsen deserves credit for creating a truly memorable MCU character.

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘Multiverse of Madness’ marks Benedict Cumberbatch’s sixth time playing Doctor Strange on screen and with Iron Man gone, is now one of the premiere heroes in the Marvel Universe. While the first ‘Doctor Strange’ only gave a taste of the character, he’s grown through his experiences in the Avengers and Spider-Man movies and is at his best when sparring with fellow heroes, which this film includes quite a bit. Cumberbatch is charming, funny, and believable in the role, giving one of his best performances yet as the character. The actor also had the task of playing different versions of his character and gives each one a unique spin.

    In the end, ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ is a really fun and unique Marvel movie, which expands the genre by mixing horror with heroes. The film succeeds in large part thanks to Sam Raimi’s unique style, the horror elements, the multiverse concept, Benedict and Olsen’s strong performances and the surprise cameos.

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ gets 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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  • New Trailer for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Poster. Photo Courtesy of Disney+.
    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Poster Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.

    Movie studios like to go big with their Super Bowl trailers these days, and few have the capability like Marvel. The new trailer for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ certainly showed that off, as Benedict Cumberbatch’s sorcerer faced creatures and consequences.

    The latter come courtesy of his actions in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ in which (for the benefit of the three people who haven’t seen it), Doctor Strange tampered with the multiverse to protect Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) true identity.

    Those chickens have well and truly come home to roost – and some of them look like weird tentacled beasts. Yes, turns out tampering with the multiverse is sort of a bad idea, and now Strange has the bad dreams to prove it. Yet unlike a certain more recent Marvel character, he can tell the difference between waking life and dreams.

    Trouble is, his waking life is a real nightmare, since the dimensions are beginning to merge and he’s in big trouble for that little spell. As Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Mordo points out, Strange will be held responsible.

    Our favourite Sorcerer (not Supreme – that’s Benedict Wong’s Wong, who looks to be in trouble himself) seeks out Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), who makes her own good point that there’s a real double standard at play: his rule-breaking saw him hailed a hero, she’s been called a villain for what went down during ‘WandaVision’.

    Yet Strange will also face some judgement, hauled in front of a tribunal to answer for what he did – and that sounds like Patrick Stewart, AKA the Professor X of Fox/Marvel’s ‘X-Men’ movies.

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    The multi-dimensional nature of the story naturally lends itself to plenty of cameos from across the MCU and beyond, and one of the big advantages of Disney owning… well, everything… is that so many characters could potentially appear. Fans have already spotted Captain Carter’s (Hayley Atwell) shield on the poster for the movie, which points to her variant from ‘What If…?’ showing up.

    And talking of the animated Marvel series, that scruffier looking Strange who makes an appearance comes from the story that saw him shatter his own existence trying to save Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams, who is also on screen here, looking very much alive as she did at the end of the first movie). Will he be a problem or an ally for “our” Strange? Only time will tell.

    Making her debut in this movie is a more recent character from Marvel comics, America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), an interdimensional butt-kicker who is sure to have a big impact going forward.

    What this truly represents, though is a big homecoming for director Sam Raimi, who can unleash amazing imagery when he wants (with the music coming from old friend Danny Elfman). And, paired with a script from ‘Loki’s Michael Waldron, anything can happen… And probably will.

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ will open in theaters on May 6th.

    'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Poster Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.
    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Poster Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.
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