Benedict Cumberbatch Plays Coy When Asked About DOCTOR STRANGE's Accent.

MTV was able to get a brief interview with Benedict Cumberbatch on the red carpet during the Academy Awards, and they asked him a question fans have been wondering since he was offiicially announced as the title character: what kind of accent will Doctor Strange have? Of course, Cumberbatch decided to play coy and not answer the question, so we still don't know.

Are you hoping he sticks with his accent or puts on an American accent?

I don't have a preference, honestly. I'm just excited to see him take on this role.

Marvel Bits!

Chadwick Boseman, who will portray Black Panther in the MCU, talks about how he would rather have an action figure than a Golden Globe. I'm excited to see him take on the role, and like him, I'm even more excited for the merchandise that'll be coming our way. (Source.)

Chiwetel Ejiofor very briefly - and I do mean veryyyy - briefly discusses those DOCTOR STRANGE rumors with Collider. This is one casting rumor that I hope works out. Chiwetel is a fantastic actor, and I'd loveeeee to see him take on a Marvel role. (Source: Collider.)

Marvel & ABC have released two more promotional photos for AGENT CARTER:

(Source: Agent Carter's Facebook Page.)

They've also revealed a new clip featuring Dottie and Peggy:

I'm pretty excited for tonight's episode, especially since we know that they are introducing the Black Widow program! As it stands, the ratings for the show are making the chances for a second season seem impossible right now, so if you want a second season, it is important that you watch live. (And then watch it again on your DVRs!)

Marvel have revealed a closer look at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier! I've got to say, I don't know that I have the room for this, but I really, really, really want it.

Here are a few details about the Lego set:

Marvel’s 'Avengers: Age of Ultron,' the anticipated blockbuster sequel, is only a few months away but if the wait is too much, then LEGO is here to help with the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier! This sophisticated aerial and naval carrier was seen in Marvel’s 'The Avengers' and then again in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier.' These are S.H.I.E.L.D.’s primary mode of protection for our Earth, as this vehicle can patrol from the skies or in the seas down below and is loaded with plenty of high-tech weapons.

Owning such an arsenal is no easy task though, as first you will have to take the challenge and build it! The flying aircraft model consists of two runways, micro-scale Quinjets, fighter jets, ground support vehicles and many of your favorite LEGO Marvel Super Heroes minifigures plus 12 microfigures to display on deck and within the highly detailed interior. The official description is as follows:
• Includes five minifigures: Nick Fury, Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye and Maria Hill plus an iconic SHIELD eagle stand to display them on
• Features three microscale Quinjets, three fighter jets, a gasoline truck, two forklift trucks, two runways, four road blockades, armored exterior with translucent elements, detailed interior plus 12 microfigures (Nick Fury, Hawkeye, Captain America, Iron Man and eight SHIELD agents)
• Also includes a detailed runway
• Weapons include Hawkeye’s bow, Black Widow’s gun and Captain America’s shield
• SHIELD Agent Maria Hill minifigure is new for spring 2015!
• Includes a plaque with facts about The SHIELD Helicarrier
• Add lights and spinning rotors to the Helicarrier with the 88000, 8883 and 8870 LEGO Power Functions sets (sold separately)
• Rotors can also be turned manually
• Includes a display stand
• Helicarrier measures over 11” (29cm) high, 31” (80cm) long and 17” (45cm) wide
• Each Quinjet measures over 1” (3cm) high, 2” (7cm) long and 2” (7cm) wide
• Minifigure stand measures over 4” (12cm) high, and 2” (6cm deep) and 6” (16cm wide)

Source: Marvel.

And finally, Marvel has released sixteen AGE OF ULTRON photos in HQ over on their site. I was going to post these as a separate post, but seeing as we've already seen these images multiple times now, I figured I'd stick them in today's Marvel Bits post.

Source: Marvel.

Ewan McGregor Talks DOCTOR STRANGE!

Before Benedict Cumberbatch was officially announced as playing Stephen Strange, it seemed like every actor was up for the role. (Seriously. There was a new rumor every week, it seemed.) One of the names that got mentioned a lot was Ewan McGregor. Of course, not every name that was mentioned was actually in contention for the role, but a few actors have spoken out about how close they came to signing on.

While at Sundance, MTV had the chance to ask him about his name being thrown out there for DOCTOR STRANGE, and what he has to say is pretty interesting:

“I was intrigued by it, and I like the idea of creating a superhero character,” McGregor noted. “Why wouldn’t you? Very nice. But it was fun to be in the mix for a little while.”

Be sure to watch the full interview below. It's worth a listen.

Get More: Movie Trailers, Celebrity News

Source: MTV.

Chiwetel Ejiofor Nearing Deal to Co-Star in Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange’!

Things have been a bit quiet on the DOCTOR STRANGE front since Cumberbatch was confirmed as playing the title character. This makes sense given that CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR films first (that starts filming in April). If anything, we'll probably get more casting for that one before we hear much on the DOCTOR STRANGE movie since that won't film for months yet. So, while we should expect things to be rather quiet for the next couple of movies, it looks like we do have one more actor to (probably) add to the cast.

The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news that Chiwetel Ejiofor is in early talks with Marvel for a "leading role" in DOCTOR STRANGE.

The Wrap then followed up with a more detailed report:

Chiwetel Ejiofor is nearing a deal for a key role alongside his “12 Years a Slave” co-star Benedict Cumberbatch in Marvel’s “Doctor Strange,” multiple individuals familiar with the project have told TheWrap.
While it’s unclear which role Ejiofor is circling, an individual with knowledge of the project insisted it’s not the villain, who is believed to be Baron Mordo, and is more likely the Ancient One.
Scott Derrickson is directing from a script by Jon Spaihts, and Marvel’s Kevin Feige is producing the movie, which starts production this fall. Ejiofor is already turning down projects that shoot in the fall in order to block off his schedule.
Marvel will release “Doctor Strange” on Nov. 4, 2016.

No one seems entirely clear on what character he is being sought for, but The Wrap seems to have the most detailed report out of all the news outlets right now.

Ejiofor would be a wonderful addition, and I really hope that the deal works out.

Here are a few more tweets from Jeff at The Wrap:

UPDATE: CHIWETEL EJIOFOR is DEFINITELY going to be in DOCTOR STRANGE, regardless of comment from Marvel & his reps.
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) January 23, 2015

In conversations later that day, was told he's NOT being eyed for the villain, but it's possible there's a REVEAL that Marvel wants to hide.
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) January 23, 2015

Source: The Wrap & Jeff's Twitter.

Benedict Cumberbatch Talks About DOCTOR STRANGE.

Ever since Marvel officially confirmed Cumberbatch as playing Stephen Strange in the upcoming DOCTOR STRANGE movie, details have been rather scarce. Cumberbatch briefly talked about the role after confirmed came out (here), but that was really all we'd heard from him concerning the role, and that was essentially him finally confirming his long rumored casting and nothing more. But in a new interview with The Wall Street Journal, Cumberbatch opens up a bit more. He doesn't say too much, but what he does say is rather interesting.

When asked if he thought taking on Doctor Strange was a risk, he responded by saying: "I don’t think it’s a risk because of Marvel. Marvel is a stable of bringing out ordinary comic characters and turning them into screen-like gods. It’s very different, it’s an Astral Plane. There’s a huge new element to this Marvel universe that’s going to be employed in building this story and this character. But you know, I’m really excited about it, about working with Scott [Derrickson] whose imagination is endless, and all the boys and girls at Marvel who know what they’re doing. I’ve got a few things to get under my belt first. I’ve got to do that little stage production of “Hamlet” in the summer and the Christmas special of “Sherlock,” which we start shooting in about three days’ time – Whoops! Yeah, that’s there."

The interviewer also brings up a time when Cumberbatch taught English to Tibetan Buddhist monks in India and Strange's training with The Ancient One, which leads to the question of whether or not the filming would bring him back to the Himalayas, which leads Cumberbatch to say: "Ahh … you’ll have to wait and see. I’m not going to be eked out on any spoilers or reveals now. It’s quite a way off but I’m very excited about that spiritual dimension, obviously. It’s something that’s been a huge part of my life."

He is also asked whether or not he read a lot of Doctor Strange comics grown up, and Cumberbatch answers honestly that he didn't, but that he's certainly reading them now. You can read the full interview over on The Wall Street Journal by going here.

With the movie set for release on November 4th, 2016, I'd expect filming to begin late this year. Things will probably remain quiet on the news-front for a bit regarding DOCTOR STRANGE with Captain America: Civil War going into production around April, but I'm expecting to hear more casting announcements within the next few months.