Nowadays, it's more difficult for a superhero movie to be successful simply by being a standard "save the world in a costume" kind of adventure. Another way for them to dazzle audiences is by mixing another genre into the narrative, which Marvel has been doing in recent years. Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a political thriller, Ant-Man was a heist adventure and since last year, we've been hearing about Doctor Strange will feel like a horror movie. The first trailer may not have given that vibe, but according to one of the actors, when the movie arrives in November, moviegoers will be seeing plenty of full-on horror scenes,
Scott Adkins discussed Doctor Strange's tone with The Huffington Post, assuring fans that director Scott Derrickson has incorporated plenty of horror elements within the Sorcerer Supreme's first cinematic story. He said:
This is going to show that other dimension side [of the Marvel Cinematic Universe]. I'm sure Scott Derrickson's going to bring some of his horror element into it as well. It's gonna be a different version of a Marvel comic.
This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone familiar with Scott Derrickson's work. He's made a name for himself directing movies full of darkness and terror, like The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister and Deliver Us from Evil. It's easier for Doctor Strange to have the same tone, because along with being the first movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to fully delve into magic, it's like Adkins said, other dimensions are involved. Using the mystics arts and his collection of powerful artifacts, Doctor Strange will travel to these other realms and encounter all kinds of monstrous creatures who would surely attack Earth if given the chance.
These creatures, along with other weird sights the Master of the Mystic Arts will discover during his journey, make Doctor Strange the perfect vehicle for Marvel to include plenty of horror scenes. That said, it's important to also keep in mind that like the previous MCU movies, Doctor Strange will likely score a PG-13 rating. So just because there will be a decent amount of frights doesn't mean it will descend into a hardcore gore fest. Think of the younger viewers!
Doctor Strange will follow Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, a surgeon desperate to find a way to cure his hands following a car accident, but instead finds himself delving into the world of magic. The movie's cast also includes Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One; Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo; Rachel McAdams as an unnamed surgeon associate of Strange's; Mads Mikkelsen as unnamed, mystical main antagonist; Michael Stuhlbarg as Nicodemus West; and Benedict Wong as Wong, along with Scott Adkins and Amy Landecker in undisclosed roles.
Doctor Strange will cast its spell in theaters on November 4.
