The Marvel Cinematic Universe has already introduced two new superheroes, Spider-Man and Black Panther, this year. And now they are ready to add yet another one, Doctor Strange, on November 4, 2016. The character will be portrayed by The Imitation Game and Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch.
What makes the Sorcerer Supreme a superhero? While those who are familiar with Doctor Strange comics would say that his magical powers make him a superhero, Cumberbatch differs with them.
According to the 40-year-old actor, the factor that makes his character a superhero doesn't have anything to do with mysticism or casting spells; it's something engraved at the core of his personality.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, here's how Cumberbatch explains Doctor Strange:
This man reaches the very bottom and then more. You think, How much more can this guy take? He's broken, he gets up again, he's broken "” and that's really what makes him a superhero. A lot of people have asked me, “What makes him a superhero?” That's really the answer I should have given.
The British actor goes on to add that it is neither the Cloak of Levitation nor the Eye of Agamotto that makes Doctor Strange a superhero; it’s "his staying power". He adds:
It's a marathon and not a sprint. The guy endures so much.
We definitely hope that the upcoming Doctor Strange movie reflects this about the titular character. But we would also love to see some really cool magic in it, wouldn't we?
Games Radar published their interview with the movie's director Scott Derrickson during last month's San Diego Comic-Con International. In that particular interview, the director confirms that his movie won't make an attempt to explain magic with science. He says:
Magic is magic in this movie. It’s not something that’s explained away scientifically. It’s not something that’s easy to define. As magic should be. Magic should be mysterious. There’s mystery to magic and there’s mystery to the tone of the movie. Mystery is a good thing.
Does this make sense? "Not everything does, not everything has to," Tilda Swinton's Ancient One says in a scene featured in the second trailer for Doctor Strange! Remember?
