A few days ago we reported that after a long negotiation process, Joaquin Phoenix was finalizing his talks with Marvel Studios to take the lead role in the upcoming Doctor Strange film. However, new reports have surfaced suggesting that Phoenix may in fact be reluctant to sign a Marvel contract and may back out of talks altogether.
According to Badass Digest, Marvel hoped to get Phoenix to sign on the dotted line before San Diego Comic-Con last month, and are still having trouble with getting him to commit to the project. We originally cited that Phoenix was worried about signing one of Marvel’s multi-picture deals, in fear that it would disrupt the creative freedom he so enjoys and keep him from doing other projects. However, there may be more to it than just that:
“The problems that have kept the deal from closing remain, and they 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.”
Some (including myself) have long speculated that Phoenix wouldn’t end up signing with the studio for these very reasons. There’s no doubt that he could do a great job in the role. But he stands the chance of being the studio’s next Edward Norton. And we all know how that turned out…
We’ll keep you updated on the Doctor Strange casting battle as it continues.
Originally published August 31, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
