Salutations and Greetings.
The Eye of Agomatto has revealed a juicy rumor to the folks over at Latino Review, namely that Marvel Studios has been in talks to cast Johnny Depp as Dr. Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme, for a Phase 3 Marvel film to come out after “Avengers 2” and “Ant-Man.”
This has been long-rumored and a bit a dream fancasting for many. Benedict Cumberbatch has also been rumored for the role, but this is the first leak out of The House of Ideas in a while. So let’s deconstruct this rumor and come up with how plausible it might be.
Reasons why Depp would be Dr. Strange
Johnny Depp has made more money for Disney, Marvel’s owner, over the last decade than pretty much anyone except maybe John Lasseter. Four Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Alice in Wonderland and an upcoming sequel all making hundreds of millions of dollars, adding up to billions overall, they have something going on.
That being said, in Hollywood you’re only as good as your last film. And “The Lone Ranger” did not perform as well as some would’ve liked. “Dark Shadows” was also a little disappointing as well. (I’m being kind here. There are much more forcefully negative opinions of both of those films out there.) So maybe Johnny Depp is looking for something that is a surefire hit.
Depp would also be great as Stephen Strange, as a sort of mystical elder statesman of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And he’s one of the few people you could legitimately see standing toe to toe with Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark.
Reasons why it might not be true
First of all, any time something that seems like dream fancasting is rumored, there is every reason to discount it as just that– fan hopes and dreams. Until we see the official press release from Marvel or from Depp’s agent, it’s not true.
Further, all that has happened, even according to the rumors, is that they have had meetings. Meetings happen all the time in Hollywood and come to nothing. This might be wishful thinking on the parts of either Marvel, Depp, or both. There’s still lots of space between that and an actual signed contract, a script, and a greenlit production.
And finally, this doesn’t really fit Marvel Studios’ modus operandi for casting. Generally speaking, they take undervalued talent that they can get on the cheap and then turn them into big stars. Chris Hemsworth. Robert Downey, Jr. Chris Evans. Mark Ruffalo. Chris Pratt. Paul Rudd.
Depp don’t come cheap.
Then again, maybe he would, after his recent stumbles he’s willing to take a paycut in exchange for future considerations (more money for sequels, etc)
So, take this with a grain a salt. A hopeful grain of salt maybe. Because Depp would make an excellent Sorcerer Supreme. By the hoary hosts of Hoggoth!
Doctor Strange likely hits theaters in 2016. Keep your mystical senses attuned and we’ll let you know as soon as there is an official word.