Marvel Can't Close the Deal with Joaquin Phoenix for 'Doctor Strange'

Joaquin Phoenix was supposed to walk out on stage at Comic-Con to be announced as the actor playing Doctor Strange. Marvel Studios had hoped to sign Phoenix in time to announce him during their panel, but they couldn't seal the deal in time. And they still can't.

Evidently, the delay in signing Phoenix goes a bit beyond the inability to hammer out a contract. The main problems "go beyond the basic fact that Phoenix is balking at the heavy multi-picture contract: Joaquin Phoenix literally doesn't know if he can work on this kind of movie. He's a great actor, and he can play the role. But the Marvel Studios blockbuster machine is full of pre-viz and fight-viz and green screen and massive reshoots. It's not a world that's as comfortable for him, and he's just not certain he can do it. ... If Marvel can get past any issues Phoenix has with the larger contract they still have to get over the doubt this terrific actor has about working in this larger environment."

While we really don’t know much at all about the film’s story, the role of Dr. Stephen Strange seems to be somewhat less than specific when it comes to age. However, the doctor's age clearly isn’t important, but knowing Marvel Studios, locking down an actor for multiple pictures is. This aspect is likely the one hurdle keeping Phoenix from signing, not the special effects or reshoots or storyline.

Doctor Strange currently has no release date, but is set to begin production early in 2015.