The release of next years Doctor Strange adaptation has got a fair few Marvel fanboys excited. After all, this is a new step for Marvel Studios: these arent aliens from advanced societies, like the Asgardians. These arent enhanced humans, with their lab-created special powers or exotic DNA. These are ancient magicians, extradimensional demons, malicious wizards and, of course, the Sorcerer Supreme himself. With Benedict Cumberbatch signing on as the titular Doctor Strange being possibly the most inspired Marvel casting since Robert Downey was asked to grow go-faster stripes on his face, a lot of attention has been paid towards the movies other supporting roles. Chiwetel Ejiofor, for a long time one of cinemas most thoughtful, gently charismatic actors, is going to be phenomenal opposite him as Stranges opposite number, Baron Mordo. Itll be interesting to see how he interprets the character they were never really evenly matched, but Mordos speciality was always astral trickery, diabolism and various degrees of mind control, all of which are storytelling catnip. Rachel McAdams has signed on too, and scuttlebutt (like gossips evil nemesis) has it that shes playing the big screen version of the Night Nurse character, possibly someone that Strange knew from his days as a top flight surgeon. Then again, theres always the chance that shes secretly in line for the part of Clea, Stranges partner in many of the classic storylines: Marvel enjoy swerving us on occasion. But the current big rumour is that the best Hannibal Lecter (you know its true), Mads Mikkelsen, is considering signing on for a major role. Baron Mordo doesnt have to be the be-all and end-all, you know and everyone knows that Stranges real nemesis is Mordos patron, the ruler of the Dark Dimension, Dormammu himself. Thats Cleas uncle, by the way. No one does devilish quite like Mikkelsen. The plot thickens.
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
