by: S. Scott Stanikmas – Senior Staff Writer

Even though eagle-eyed spies have been posting photos all over the internet the official announcement came today – Doctor Strange has now officially begun production.

Marvel Studios’ first foray into the mystical and supernatural stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, a talented neurosurgeon who loses the ability to continue on with his chosen profession. He then scours the globe searching for a reason to keep going on and finds one in training to be Earth’s next greatest sorcerer.

The film also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as classic comic villain Baron Mordo and Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One, the mystic teacher to both Strange and Mordo. Also cast are Mads Mikkelson, Scott Adkins, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg and Amy Landecker.

Horror director Scott Derrickson is helming the film with a script by Jon Spaihts.

Doctor Strange is scheduled to hit theaters November 4, 2016.

Official Press Release:

MARVEL’S “DOCTOR STRANGE” BEGINS PRODUCTION 

 

Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, 

Michael Stuhlbarg, Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton Star in the

2016 Debut of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Next Super Hero

BURBANK, CALIF. (November 24, 2015)—Marvel Studios announced today that production has begun on “Doctor Strange,” starring Benedict Cumberbatch (“Black Mass,”  “The Imitation Game”), Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave,” “The Martian”), Rachel McAdams (“Southpaw,” “Sherlock Holmes”) and  Michael Stuhlbarg (“Steve Jobs,” “A Serious Man”)  with  Mads Mikkelsen (“Clash of the Titans,” “Casino Royale”)  and Academy Award® winner Tilda Swinton (“Michael Clayton,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel”).  The film, which opens in U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016, is directed by Scott Derrickson (“Sinister,” “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”). The film will be shot in several locations around the world, including London, New York, Hong Kong and Kathmandu, Nepal.

“Doctor Strange” follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.

“Doctor Strange” is the latest film in Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase 3’s goal—over the course of four years and nine films—is to introduce audiences to new heroes and continue the adventures of fan favorites.

Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” is produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Charles Newirth, Stephen Broussard and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.

Director Scott Derrickson’s creative team also includes director of photography Ben Davis, B.S.C. (Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”); production designer Charles Wood (Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”); costume designer Alexandra Byrne (Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”); editors Wyatt Smith (“Into the Woods,” Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World”) and Sabrina Plisco, ACE (“Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium,” “Charlotte’s Web”); and visuals effects supervisor Stephane Ceretti (Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”).

Based on the Marvel comic character who first appeared in “Strange Tales” Issue 110 published in July 1963, Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” continues the lineage of epic big-screen adventures chronicled in Marvel’s  “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “The Avengers,” “Iron Man 3,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Ant-Man” and the upcoming “Captain America: Civil War,” (May 6, 2016), “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” (May 5, 2017) and  “Thor: Ragnarok” (November 3, 2017).

Marvel Studios continued its unprecedented success this year with the May 1st release of “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” which recorded the second biggest opening weekend of all time with a $191.3 million box office. It has also been the #1 release in every country where it has opened and has grossed over $1.4 billion in global box office. On July 17, Marvel released “Ant-Man,” which has grossed to date over $518 million worldwide.

In 2014 Marvel Studios released “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the top-grossing domestic film of 2014 with $333.2 million and $772.8 million worldwide. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” which broke the opening record for an April release by earning $95 million in its first weekend, went on to gross more than $711 million worldwide.

In 2013 Marvel produced the megahits “Thor: The Dark World” and “Iron Man 3.” The two films have earned over $644 million and $1.2 billion worldwide, respectively, since their openings. In 2012 Marvel’s critically acclaimed “The Avengers” set an all-time, domestic three-day weekend box-office record at $207.4 million. The film went on to gross over $1.5 billion worldwide, becoming Disney’s highest-grossing global and domestic release of all time.