Is Joaquin Phoenix thinking twice about being Doctor Strange?

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Marvel's panel at this year's SDCC wasn't exactly the knockout punch fans were expecting. We had the details for films like ANT-MAN and AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, but where were the surprise announcements? What the hell was The Rock teasing us about? What of the rumors of a DOCTOR STRANGE announcement? Sometimes these announcement are delayed for legal reasons, but what if an actor could be the hold-up for a possible announcement? Joaquin Phoenix has been on the radar for some time now for DOCTOR STRANGE and if rumor is to be believed, it's because he's having second thoughts about making the commitment.  Badass Digest seems to feel that the amount of green screen work, pre-viz and reshoots required for a film of this nature may be getting in the way of Joaquin signing on.

If this is the case, I can't say I blame Pheonix for feeling the way he does. The contract would obviously be for a multi-picture deal, so you're essentially blindly signing on for films that you have zero clue about. Some actors take their work very seriously and I imagine Phoenix is questioning whether or not he wants to be known as "the Doctor Strange guy" for the next decade or so. Either way, I hope they sign an actor that's excited about the prospects this holds and can have some fun with the role.

DOCTOR STRANGE is slated to go into production in early 2015 for a July 8, 2016 release.