Marvel's "Doctor Strange" production has officially commenced.
In an official statement released by the giant studio it did not only reveal that the production has started, it also announced the full cast lineup for the upcoming dark superhero film.
"Marvel Studios announced today that production has begun on 'Doctor Strange,' starring Benedict Cumberbatch ('Black Mass,' 'The Imitation Game'), Chiwetel Ejiofor ('12 Years a Slave,' 'The Martian'), Rachel McAdams ('Southpaw,' 'Sherlock Holmes') and Michael Stuhlbarg ('Steve Jobs,' 'A Serious Man') with Mads Mikkelsen ('Clash of the Titans,' 'Casino Royale') and Academy Award® winner Tilda Swinton ('Michael Clayton,' 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'). The film, which opens in U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016, is directed by Scott Derrickson ('Sinister,' 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose'). The film will be shot in several locations around the world, including London, New York, Hong Kong and Kathmandu, Nepal," Marvel's official website stated.
Prior to the announcement, a photo of Benedict Cumberbatch shooting in Nepal has already been leaked on Twitter posted by Technicallyright, where Cumberbatch is seen sporting a beard.
Benedict cumberbatch in Nepal...shooting for #drstrange #movie #cumberbatch pic.twitter.com/LHcFrSlMrm
- Prayush Khadka (@Technicalyright) November 4, 2015
Cumberbatch is said to be teamed up with McAdams, who is "really looking forward" to working with the English actor.
While Marvel has failed to reveal what the 37-year-old "The Notebook" actress would portray in "Doctor Strange," Vanity Fair, speculated she could be playing the role of Clea, Strange's love interest who is equally magical.
The publication noted that McAdams could also be playing the role of the Night Nurse from the 2006 limited series, "The Oath," or Morgana Blessing, Strange's long-time lover, who was first introduced in 1981.
"Though there has been no official confirmation from Marvel, the likeliest character for McAdams is a magically gifted woman named Clea, which means not only would McAdams be romancing Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange, she would also match the Sorcerer Supreme mystical gesture for mystical gesture," the publication claimed.
With "Doctor Strange" actively gearing up, Marvel is reportedly readying its Cinematic Universe for an expansion.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige shared the studios plans in an interview with Screen Rant.
"The goal of these films is always to continue to expand what a comic book film is, what a Marvel Cinematic Universe film is," Feige explained. "And starting a couple years ago with 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' this year with 'Ant-Man,' next year with 'Doctor Strange' continuing to push the boundaries of that cinematic universe."
"With Strange, it is a classic Marvel origin story because he's got one of the best origins ever. And it's our opportunity to take that left turn into the supernatural," Feige added in separate statement.
Marvel's "Doctor Strange" movie release date is set on Nov. 4, 2016.
