The buzz has been very good on Marvel Studios latest movieDoctor Strangeso far. Even though the character’s first movie hasn’t even been released in North America yet, a lot of the conversation surrounding the Sorcerer Supreme has involved the upcomingInfinity War. We know thatDoctor Strangewill be in that movie, but we now also know he will play a crucial role in it.
Benedict Cumberbatchand directorScott Derricksonrecently spoke withYahoo Moviesin honor ofDoctor Strangerolling out in theaters. During the course of the chat, it was revealed thatBenedict Cumberbatchwill be responsible for reuniting Captain America, Iron Man and the other Avengers following the events ofCaptain America: Civil War. Here is whatBenedict Cumberbatchhad to say about it.
“I think [Doctor Strange] has to be Team Doctor Strange. His job title is defender of the fabric of reality. I mean, he fights other dimensional threats that are beyond the perceptions of that very potent squabble [between Cap and Iron Man], and I’d like to think he’s going to help them both, rather than take sides.”
As has been teased by the trailers,Doctor Strangefights against threats thatThe Avengersaren’t even aware of. In the comics,Doctor Strangetends to sort of lean towards whatever is best for the Earth and other dimensions. Big picture stuff. He has little interest in taking part in various squabbles between other heroes. In theCivil Warcomics, he refused to take a side on the matter but on the opposite side of things, he has a massive part in the universe threateningInfinity Gauntletstoryline, whichAvengers: Infinity Warwill be taking cues from.Scott Derricksonelaborated on the idea a bit.
“Doctor Strange will always be on his own team. It’s part of what I liked about him in the comics. Part of what makes Doctor Strange ‘Doctor Strange’ is that he stands in a lonely position. He is the gatekeeper between our world andother dimensions, so he doesn’t really stand on anyone’s side other than the side of protecting our world from the malevolent threats that only he can protect the world from.”
Doctor Strangehasn’t landed in the U.S. yet, though it is playing in the U.K. already. It has been received highly positive by critics thus far, as the movie currently has a nearly perfect 98 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is continuing the trend of Marvel Studios' movies generally considered to be of top notch quality. We will still have to see if the movie can continue the tradition of box office success, but it seems likely that it will at the moment. Box office tracking is pointing to a debut as high as $75 million, which would very likely give it the top spot next weekend.
Similar to movies likeAnt-ManandGuardians of the Galaxybefore it,Doctor Strangewill be a very different type of movie for Marvel. It will be a massive visual spectacle and it will be introducing the concept of straight up magic into the MCU. The movie starsBenedict Cumberbatch,Tilda Swinton,Rachel McAdams,Chiwetel Ejiofor,Benedict WongandMads Mikkelsen.Doctor Strangecomes out in the U.S. on August 01, 2025, withAvengers: Infinity Warset to drop on June 13, 2025.
