Doctor Strangeis nearly ready to blast his way into theaters, but the good doctor has arrived on the cover of Empire Magazine’s latest issue first. Well, two covers to be exact.Doctor Strangewill indeed be on full display in the publication’s latest issue and there will be two different covers featuringBenedict Cumberbatchas The Sorcerer Supreme. But as it turns out, it almost didn’t happen this way. If things had of worked out just a little bit differently, we could be looking at a completely differentDoctor Strange.
Empirerecently revealed their two exclusiveDoctor Strangecovers, which will be featured on the latest issue of Empire Magazine that hits stands next week. Both covers prominently featureBenedict Cumberbatch, as has most of the marketing material forDoctor Strange. Given that he is a massive star and the centerpiece of the movie, that isn’t at all surprising. That being said, Empire also revealed that theSherlockstar almost didn’t get the role inDoctor Strange. According to directorScott Derrickson, he was “the only actor we seriously considered,” but there were some speed bumps.
Marvel originally wanted a summer 2016 release date, butBenedict Cumberbatchwas scheduled to play Hamlet in London, which conflicted with that. ButDerricksonsaid that the actor wasn’t willing to give up the play, saying “I can’t bail out of Hamlet. I’ve given my word.” So directorScott Derricksonwas forced to look at someother actors, which is reportedly whenJoaquin Phoenix,Jared LetoandRyan Goslingwere considered. ButKevin Feigeinsisted that “it’s going to beBenedict,” and that is exactly how it went down. Here is what the actor had to say about it.
“I really did think I had to kiss it goodbye. If you can’t jump on board when the ride’s going past, that’s usually it, so the hugest compliment they paid me was to come back to me. It motivated me to try to fulfill their faith in me.”
Since the role ultimately did go toBenedict Cumberbatch, he is the one who is featured on the new Empire Magazine covers. The first of the two covers featuresDoctor Strangeall by his lonesome in theSanctum Sanctorum. He is featured doing some sorcery and looking all kinds of intense, which seems fitting for The Sorcerer Supreme. The text on the cover also teases thatDoctor Strangewill be “Marvel’s weirdest movie ever,” which definitely gels with everything we have seen and heard about the movie up to this point.
While we haven’t seen the movie yet, based on the trailers we have seen it appears that if nothing else,Benedict Cumberbatchreally nailed the role. So, it is a good thingMarvelwas able to make it work.Doctor Strangeis set to hit theaters in the U.K. on October 25 and in the U.S on November 4. Be sure to check out the new Empire MagazineDoctor Strangecovers for yourself below.
