Take this news with a massive grain of salt, but according to TheWrap, Marvel Studios is currently looking at three-time Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix (The Master, Walk the Line) for Doctor Strange.
There is supposedly no deal in place yet, but multiple sources say that Phoenix is in consideration for the role and has even had discussions with the studio. Jeff Sneider, who reported the story, has cautioned fans on Twitter that even he remained skeptical about the story, but that “all roads lead back to Joaquin.” He does say that he has “absolute certainty” that the role will not go to Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch, who have remained on the studio’s wishlist for over a month now.
We’ll likely hear an official announcement about the Doctor Strange casting soon, as well as word on its official release date (which we think is in 2016).
We’ll have more news on Doctor Strange and the validity of this Joaquin Phoenix report as soon as it’s available.