There have been many rumors and fancasts circulating the nerdly reaches of the internet regarding this particular role. Who could fill the shoes of Doctor Strange’s nemesis? Everyone from Daniel Bruhl to Oscar Issac, Al Pacino (um, no) to Daniel Day Lewis (also WOW no), Ralph Fiennes to *insert middle aged white dude here* had a vote tossed into the ballot box, but it’s Chiwetel Ejiofor who has won the poll. Thank Christ. 

Those of you that are familiar with my particular philosophies know that I do, in fact, support the casting of Chiwetel Ejiofor in every movie ever made. As a matter of fact, I also support the retroactive digital insertion of him in films that are already complete, Jabba style. Wait – like, not in Jabba form, but see George Lucas went back and added… Nevermind. You got me.

I have to admit that “Doctor Strange” was the title I was most dancey about after “Captain Marvel.” But with each casting announcement I got a little less enthused. Even about my Alien Queen Goddess Tilda. But with this news my excitement has renewed, and I would like to address the real pressing questions.

• Transylvanian accent: yeah? I’m kinda down with it.
• The collar. You think that trademark bit of costuming is going to stick? 
• You think there’s gonna be time travel? I kind of don’t want that. But then again, there could be Cap action what with the Nazis and all.
• Oh my god what if Martin Freeman is playing Dormammu? I just made myself snort on that one. Oh wait, nevermind. He’s in “Civil War,” not this movie. 

In closing, Chiwetel Ejiofor is awesome and Stan Lee is probably rolling around on a pile of cash screaming “Excelsior,” and my excitement for the MCU “Doctor Strange” is officially reignited.  

Checks date. Okay, not April’s Fools.

Sony and Marvel/Disney announced a deal late Monday night that would bring the next ‘Spider-Man’ movie to Marvel Studios. A release date has been set for July 28, 2017, but Spidey will also appear in another Marvel film – such as with “Avengers” characters like Iron Man, Thor and Captain America.

But who will be the new Spider-Man? Tobey Maguire played Peter Parker from the first trilogy (‘Spider-Man’ in 2002, ‘Spider-Man 2’ in 2004 and ‘Spider-Man 3’ in 2007), and The Wrap reporter Linda Ge confirmed Andrew Garfield, who rebooted the series with ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ in 2012, is no longer doing the role.

So c’mon Marvel. Make Mine Miles. That is, Miles Morales.

Brian Michael Bendis introduced the character in the “Marvel Comics’ Ultimate Spider-Man” series in 2011. Teenager, Miles Morales was given superhuman abilities from an accidental spider bite. Initially averse to his newfound talents, he changes his mind after witnessing Spider-Man’s death and knowing he could’ve helped; with some coaxing from his best friend, he takes over the late hero’s identity, sporting the costume and fighting crime all over New York.

Now, moving to MM would allow them to have a new version of the origin that wouldn’t retread Parker’s again. The fact that there have already been so many Spider-Man movies means that as far as the audience is concerned, there already is an established Peter Parker (or two). This means that there’s already a great history in place to jump off from, even if it isn’t (and shouldn’t be) recognized as part of MCU continuity.

The perfect way to do this would be to make the first MCU Spider-Man film an origin story for Morales. Peter Parker can be mentioned and discussed, and since the audience is so familiar with his exploits and origins, his history can be be treated with a light touch in the MCU films. Referenced, but not elaborated on. Sort of like the first Hulk film.

Personally, I like the idea that MCU Peter Parker has been operating for years as a low-profile vigilante who mostly solved street crime in New York. Until Moralas’ debut, MCU Spider-Man is just a urban myth that was only discussed in trashy tabloids like the Daily Bugle.

Or how about this, Peter Parker dies heroically during the Infinity War after becoming a crucial part of the MCU. Large public funeral. Later, Miles Morales emerges and eventually earns the acceptance of Peter’s friends and family. Basically taking the Ultimate storyline and merging it with the MCU.

I’m pretty sure that we are light years away from any of this happening. I read a quote from Sony’s Doug Belgrad’s that indicates that it won’t be Miles Morales: “Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of working together. This new level of collaboration is the perfect way to take Peter Parker’s story into the future.”

While this doesn’t necessarily prove that it’s gonna be Peter Parker behind the mask, it would seem to indicate as much.
 So Miles Morales may be out, but that doesn’t mean Childish Gambino A.K.A. Donald Glover still couldn’t get cast as Peter Parker. I actually think he has the perfect boyish manner to be Spiderman. Even if he is a thirty something now. The real deciding factor will be whether the relatively unknown Miles Morales name can make as much money as the Peter Parker name, which everybody knows.

It’s going to be really jarring seeing a really well done Spider-Man in the MCU films, only to see him go back to being a trainwreck in whatever Sony produces. All we need now is for the Fantastic Four film to bomb. Hard.

-Dagobot



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The day we’ve all been waiting for has finally come. In an announcement made today, Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios will be working together on the future of Spider-Man. According to the new deal, Spider-Man will appear in an undisclosed upcoming Marvel movie, making the web slinger an official part of the MCU.

Sony will still own the screen rights to the character and will be producing the next installment in Peter Parker’s on screen story in summer of 2017 via collaboration by Kevin Feige of Marvel and Amy Pascal who has overseen the Spider-Man franchise on Sony’s behalf for the last 13 years. Feige said of the deal, “I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie, Amy has been deeply involved in the realization on film of one of the world’s most beloved characters. Marvel’s involvement will hopefully deliver the creative continuity and authenticity that fans demand from the MCU. I am equally excited for the opportunity to have Spider-Man appear in the MCU, something which both we at Marvel, and fans alike, have been looking forward to for years.”

In addition, Bob Iger of Disney said in a statement, “Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s great characters, beloved around the world. We’re thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building.”

Today’s announcement also included talks of MCU characters appearing in future Spidey flicks finally bringing the two universes completely together. I’m glad someone over there finally got their head out of their spinnerets. 

Thwip! Thwip!

According to THR and deadline.com, Strange has been found. After months of rumors, nips at the hook, and one of the most hotly debated fancasting topics I’ve ever witnessed, it appears that Dr. Stephen Strange will be played by Benedict Cumberbatch.

Names like Joaquin Phoenix, Jared Leto, and Tom Hardy were the most recent actors rumored to be approached or attached. I believe at one point there was even a Johnny Depp tossed about. But is Cumberbatch the lucky performer who can now add the Sorcerer Supreme to his long list of iconic characters? 

Scott Derrikson will direct a script by Jon Spaihts, and there is no word on a release date yet. While Cumberbatch was never in my fancast-list (Pedro Pascal, for the record, was my favorite), I have been and will remain wildly excited for this addition to the Marvel MCU.

The “Ant-Man” twitter account sent out this tweet earlier today giving us our first look at Paul Rudd’s character in the upcoming “Ant-Man” film. Rudd will play Scott Lang and it looks like part of the film will be based in San Francisco, giving us a little more of that West Coast action in the MCU. Rudd must be doing something sneaky because he’s in hoodie stealth mode. Hoodies up in movies always mean emotions and sneaky time.

“Ant-Man” hits theaters next July.