Months of talks between the actor's agents and Marvel Studios have reportedly ended in disagreement.
- Oct 3, 2014
AceShowbiz - After months of hope and speculation, Joaquin Phoenix is not "Dr. Strange". The Oscar nominee's talks with Marvel Studios to play the comic character on big screen reportedly ended with no deal.
Phoenix has been Marvel Studios' top choice to portray the New York surgeon with psychic powers. However, after three months of negotiations with his agency the William Morris Endeavor, it all ended with neither party willing to commit.
Furthermore, it was rumored that Phoenix was reluctant to sign up for the role because he was not a Comic-Con kind of guy. The actor has been taking comfort in indie zones, and was not sure he would step out for a blockbuster.
Phoenix was not the only name brought up as the potential lead of "Dr. Strange". Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Jared Leto were all mentioned but none of the rumors led to a confirmation. The latest name thrown into the bag was Ethan Hawke but Deadline said it was nothing but "speculation run wild."
Director Scott Derrickson is now looking for a new actor. The clock is ticking because production is scheduled to start at U.K.'s Pinewood Shepperton this fall with filming to start in May 2015. "Dr. Strange" is slated to hit theaters July 8, 2016.
