If Scott Derrickson’s goal with the trailer for the first Doctor Strange move was to leave me with a stupid grin on my face…mission accomplished. The MCU has been without its Sorcerer Supreme and the realms of magic he safeguards. Much as Guardians of the Galaxy showed people that the MCU has a cosmic side on par with Star Trek, Doctor Strange will show people that Hogwarts has nothing on the magic in the MCU. Benedict Cumberbatch, Chewitel Ejifor, Rachel McAdams and Tilda Swinton will star in the magic epic opening November 4, 2016.
This looks like it might be everything I hoped for. Audiences are going to make the leap, mark my words, because it’s going to be both excellent and unpretentious. It’s a better strategy than taking characters that should require no leap, and making audiences work like hell.
I read that WB is mulling the idea of releasing the R-rated cut of BvS in theaters, and for once I don’t see a downside to their logic. I know that an audience exists for an R rated cut, and if those people are going to pay to buy it on blu-ray, they’ll pay to see it on the big screen, too.
But a movie that almost no one in america liked is going to come close to making a billion dollars when all is said and done. I know that WB was hoping for a movie that made much more than that, but there is still something wrong with this scenario. In fact, it is mind-boggling.
It might take a bit longer than WB expected, but they’re going to get the franchise they wanted out of BvS. And unless a high-ranking executive has a road to Damascus moment, most of the DCCU films will be mediocre at best, and they will test the patience of the fans. But there will be at least ten of them, and they will make billions and billions.
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Well, remember a billion is when they start to turn a profit. It’s not a billion in the bank. I’m happy Ben Affleck is writing, directing and starring in a solo Batman film out of all this, but to just plunge ahead with Justice League like there’s nothing wrong is asinine. They got beat by THE BOSS in week 3. I literally have not talked to a single person who likes it. I think the DCCU is going to be something that’s extremely hit or miss and ultimately will hurt the genre by glutting it with subpar films. Doctor Strange looks amazing. I know you hate horror, but Scott Derrickson’s Sinister is one of the best I’ve seen. He’s really going to break out with this. Strange will need to be a huge player in the MCU. Phase 4 will probably have a Cap (Bucky or Sam) but no Thor or Iron Man, so they’ll need new standard bearers. That’s also why it’s so great to hear that Black Panther and Spider-Man are standout hits in Civil War advance reviews. They can be those pillars while Iron Man and others rest for awhile. The MCU looks strong this year for installments 13 and 14.
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I admire Kubrick’s The Shining and Cronenberg’s The Fly, and a few of the novels of Thomas Harris are devastatingly effective. Other than that the horror genre really is off my radar. But I’ll give Sinister a try.
Black Panther has the potential to be huge (that backhanded Entertainment Weekly cover irked me) and after five movies, I have faith that a screen incarnation of my namesake Parker will finally live up to the the figure in the comics. Quick question, if you know the answer: I read that special effects would be employed to help create the costume. Was that just a reference to those eyes, or will there be something else?
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I believe it’s just the eyes, but someone correct me if I’m wrong (which…never happens).
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