6. Johnny Depp Was Ignored For Doctor Strange
Despite the studio's penchant for using unexpected directors and casting relative unknowns for new properties - in a similar vein to Pixar's approach to new talent in fact - it always felt like the search for a Doctor Strange would end up in one place once it kicked off. While actors as diversely "talented" as Nic Cage and Joaquin Phoenix had been linked over the years, Johnny Depp's name was regurgitated every time rumours of the film gathered any pace, possibly because he's making a career out of oddity. But thankfully Marvel went elsewhere, casting Benedict Cumberbatch for his inevitable comic book movie appearance. He has his own sideline in oddity, and you get the sense that he will invest more of the classical theatricality he's given to Sherlock, rather than Depp's showy pantomime act, and that can only be a good thing for a character with huge responsibilities to the success of the Cosmic MCU. Another Marvel property - though not in the same classification of course - cast well with Oscar Isaac being confirmed as Apocalypse for Bryan Singer's upcoming epic X-Men sequel. The Star Wars cast member is big business at the minute and it's a disarming enough casting to make the film even more intriguing. And speaking of smart casting...