Though Doctor Strange only wrapped principal photography a week ago, the first teaser trailer for the film has already been released. Directed by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) and written by Jon Spaihts (The Darkest Hour) and C. Robert Cargill (Sinister), Doctor Strange follows the renowned and arrogant neurosurgeon Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), who, after being seriously injured in a car accident that brought an end to his brilliant medical career, sets out on a life-altering journey in hopes of finding a mysterious individual called the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Though seeking a cure for his nerve-damaged hands, Strange learns that the Ancient One is a master of magic and other mystic arts. Eventually becoming a protégé of the Ancient One, Strange soon finds himself immersed in a world he once thought was pure fantasy. Doctor Strange also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, Michael Sthulbarg, Scott Adkins and Benedict Wong.
While the trailer for the film reveals very little in terms of plot, Doctor Strange already feels very different in regard to tone. Most of Marvel’s films, with the possible exception of Anthony and Joe Russo’s Captain America: The Winter Solider, have always been rather light-hearted and comedic, but Doctor Strange seems to be taking a very different approach, opting to focus on just how weird and unnatural the world of the Sorcerer Supreme can get. Though brief, we get a nice look at Swinton’s Ancient One literally punching Cumberbatch’s Strange into another plane of existence. This is quickly followed by a very trippy, Inception-like sequence in New York City. Though we don’t get any sort of interactions between Strange and the rest of the cast, the trailer does spend a second or two on Ejifor’s Baron Mordo, Doctor Strange’s longtime comic book nemesis, and Mikklesen, who is playing the yet unnamed villain of the film.
I’ll admit, aside from his origin story, I know practically nothing about Doctor Strange, but my interest for the cinematic adaptation of the character has definitely been piqued after watching this trailer. I’m hopeful in the months to come that we’ll get at least another teaser or two that will reveal a little bit more about the film’s plot and characters, and maybe a hint as to how magic and mysticism works in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Doctor Strange will project it’s astral form on November 4, 2016.
What about you reader? What do you think of the first teaser trailer for Doctor Strange? Let us know in the comments below!
