DOCTOR STRANGE Described as Being "Edge of Horror-Movie-Dark"
There’s so much that I want to know about Scott Derrickson’s Doctor Strange. We get little bits of details here and there from time to time, but today we have some intriguing information that is exciting to me. Doctor Strange director of Photography Ben Davis recently talked to Screen Daily about the film and its dark Fantasia-like tone.
Davis said the film ”has a very psychedelic grounding" and that it's "not your typical Marvel action movie." He then went on to talk what he first thought when he came on board the project and saw some of the work they were doing:
"Most of the work within it is about other dimensions. And I described it, I think, when I was talking to Marvel as Marvel’s Fantasia, in a way, because it’s so sort of out there and different to everything else that they’ve done."
He spoke about the unique visuals of the film and how it’s different from anything else we’ve seen in the MCU:
"There’s a lot of previsualisation, and there’s a lot of work which is very hard. You look at it and you see the imagery that they’ve created for it and you think, ‘well how the hell do we shoot that!?’ because it’s all sort of Escher stuff. It’s all very out there. I can’t really say much more about it, I’m afraid. But I think it’ll be really interesting, and it’s a very dark movie, I’m pleased to say. [DOPs] always love the word 'dark'. The trouble is that most producers don’t like dark. Mostly you get into [Digital Intermediate process] and people don’t seem to like dark anymore!"
We also have some vague descriptions of concept art of Benedict Cumberbatch as the Sorcerer Supreme that was showcased by Disney's African division. Everything points to the film being very dark. the following information comes from HTXT.Africa as well as a various Twitter posts:
"Doctor Strange looks dark. Very dark. As in scraping the edge of ‘horror-movie-dark’ and information imparted about the film from Marvel Studios head, Kevin Feige, supports this appraisal. According to Feige, the film will have a firm footing in the shadowy world of the occult and supernatural. While we’re not expecting it to be a true blue horror film, but if it could provide as many chills as say Constantine (the TV series, NOT the film), then that would be great. Oh, and Benedict Cumberbatch looks very fetching in his Doctor Strange get-up. Very fetching"
Thoughts on the @Marvel Doctor Strange concept art from #DisneyAfrica is that Benedict Cumberbatch has never looked more menacing.
— Shaheema Barodien (@Shaheemab) July 29, 2015Benedict Cumberbatch looks incredible as Doctor Strange. Holy crap. #disneyafrica
— Zoe (@Moonstormer) July 30, 2015Truly was incredible to see Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, as well as his glorious NYC base. Too much to look forward to. #disneyafrica
— Zoe (@Moonstormer) July 30, 2015@itchicko Saw Benedict Cumberbatch as both neurosurgeon and in his grandiose #DoctorStrange costume. Very exciting transformation!
— Shaheema Barodien (@Shaheemab) July 29, 2015@itchicko There's definitely goatee - he wouldn't be #DoctorStrange without it! But keep in mind we only saw concept art.
— Shaheema Barodien (@Shaheemab) July 29, 2015@ohgodbenny His costume isn't too colourful. From what I remember, robes are blood red and green and cap is black.
— Nick Cowen (@witenoyze) July 30, 2015Hopefully, we will get to see what they are seeing at D23 later this month during the Marvel panel! Sounds like Cumberbatch is going to look amazing in the title role. This movie can't get here soon enough!
The movie will also star Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo and Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One. Doctor Strange will be released on November 4th, 2016.