The looks at Doctor Strange just keep coming. Earlier today we got our first peek at Benedict Cumberbatch garbed as the Sorcerer Supreme for the 2016 blockbuster, and it was great to see his costume is relatively faithful to his comic book counterpart. Now we have our first taste of Cumberbatch’s Strange showing off his magical abilities and letting the sparks fly, literally!
As one of the many photos in EW’s Doctor Strange coverage, here we see Stephen Strange conjuring yellow mystical energy from his hands. Whether this is being directed at someone out of frame or just showing off, it’s certainly quite a light show. We won’t get a complete feel for how Cumberbatch looks wielding magic until a trailer comes out, but going off this image, it’s clear that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Doctor Strange is a powerhouse just like he is in the comics. That said, in addition to his own natural abilities, Stephen will also rely on artifacts like the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation while battling otherworldly forces in Doctor Strange, so these items will have their own particular uses.
While Stephen Strange will still be the Master of the Mystic Arts in the MCU, it hasn’t been revealed yet whether the magic he manipulates in the movie will be something unexplainable, as opposed to being connected to some kind of advanced science (such as the phenomena seen in Asgard) or cosmic force (like the Infinity Stones). With each new movie, the MCU becomes more fantastical, and at this point, no one would blink an eye to learn that magic is at work in the world, so it would be a breath of fresh air for Doctor Strange to attribute Stephen Strange’s abilities to actual mysticism rather than ground it.
Following a car accident that permanently maims his hands and destroys his career as a neurosurgeon, Doctor Strange sees Stephen Strange traveling across the world on a "journey of healing." This eventually leads to him meeting The Ancient One, and, following his training in the mystic arts, he will return to New York City as the new Sorcerer Supreme, which will draw him into conflict with numerous adversaries, like Baron Mordo and Mads Mikkelsen’s unnamed villain. Doctor Strange will also see the good Doctor explore alternate dimensions, which were first glimpsed this year in Ant-Man via the Quantum Realm.
We’ll see Stephen Strange cast a variety of spells when Doctor Strange hits theaters on November 4, 2016. In the meantime, let us know what you think of how Cumberbatch looks manipulating magic in the comments below.
