Doctor Strange Movie: 10 Things You Need To Know

8. His Origin Story (And Goatee) Is Very Tony Stark

Robert Downey Jr was perfect casting as Marvel's first movie superhero, Iron Man, a character whose character arc is very similar to the veteran actor's own troubled career. Stark is a charismatic douchebag without any real sense of responsibility or moral fibre who, after going through a traumatic experience (ie getting kidnapped by terrorists and forced to build weapons) realises the error of his ways, dedicating himself to a life defending and protecting those in need. Which is pretty close to the journey Stephen Strange goes through, too. During his time as the world's top neurosurgeon he ended up with something of an inflated ego which, to be fair, you probably would as well if everyone kept banging on about how you were the world's top neurosurgeon. Having mucked up his hands and gone on his gap year travels he realises that maybe he was wrong to be such an arrogant tool (to the point you turn down people who can't afford your magic hands), gets endowed with all that magical power by the previous Sorcerer Supreme and becomes much nicer.
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Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/