Hey! Hey you there. Would you like to play Doctor Strange in Marvel’s planned adaptation of the supernatural sorcery comic? Sure! The studio seems willing to speak with just about anyone for the role. Why not throw your hat in the ring. You’ll have to contend with a long list of hunky possibilities… including, it appears, Ryan Gosling.
In a recent THR article, it was reported that Ryan Gosling took a meeting with Marvel for the part of Doctor Stephen Strange, a former neurosurgeon who adopts the powers of Sorcerer Supreme, and protects our planet from magical and mystical threats. Marvel President Kevin Feige has been attempting to get a Doctor Strange movie off the ground for some time now, and the casting of the lead character seems to be the largest obstacle left to overcome.
Ryan Gosling’s name is the latest to land in the hopper of hero consideration – though it might be the strangest to be mentioned in the same breath as Doctor Strange. Gosling hasn’t flirted with tentpoles over the course of his career. He makes movies like Drive, The Place Beyond the Pines, Blue Valentine and Lars and the Real Girl -- smaller, offbeat and director-driven movies that find niche audiences but aren’t, you know, superhero movies.
At the same time, THR notes that Gosling, at age 33, is entertaining more offers for studio-driven blockbuster projects. As we reported earlier, his name is one of the few in the running for David Ayer’s Suicide Squad film over at Warner Bros. And the trade attached Ryan Gosling’s name to Summit’s adaptation of The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero. Dean Parisot (of Galaxy Quest) currently is attached to direct that biopic, with Johnny Depp in the running for the part of Houdini. The fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film could halt Houdini plans, but not if Gosling were willing to get involved, as well.
It’s worth noting that Ryan Gosling was in the running to play Green Lantern years ago, but balked at the idea of signing up or multiple sequels. The part went to Ryan Reynolds… and the franchise died (until Warner put it back on the map earlier this week). Naturally, people change their minds. And there could be something to Doctor Strange that appeals to Gosling – outside of the job security and paycheck. At this point, there are so many names in the conversation for Doctor Strange. We’ll believe the casting once we finally hear from Marvel.
