Categories: Movies

Marvel Origins: Doctor Strange

Of all the heroes across the vast pantheon that is the Marvel Universe, no other has stood out as more fantastically mystical and bizarre as Doctor Stephen Strange, created in 1963 by Marvel legends Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. Although he was originally created as nothing more than a supporting character alongside the Human Torch and Sub Mariner in the pages of Strange Tales, he has since become one of Marvel’s most notable figures, nearly reaching god-like status on many occasions.

Marvel Universe author Peter Sanderson describes Stephen Strange as “an arrogant man of the world”, whose fast-paced life was brought to a screeching halt when “an automobile accident abruptly altered his destiny.” (Sanderson. Marvel Universe: Abradale Publishers, 139). Interestingly, series writers delved into the spiritual realm early on by sending Strange on a trip to the Himalayas to visit the stronghold of “The Ancient One” (aka Yan), the man who had once cured Strange’s childhood demon possession (the demons themselves had been controlled by the evil Karl Mordo, whom Strange would encounter later in life). The ghastly car accident had, unfortunately, left the nerve endings in his hands severed beyond repair, destroying his lofty career as a professional surgeon. After pouring his life savings into a myriad of dead-end procedures, he found himself here in Tibet, standing before the glorious temple of the Ancient One.

In a sudden twist of fate, the evil Baron Karl Mordo (once a pupil of the elderly Yan) attacked the Ancient One, wielding powers of mystical force Stephen had never seen. It would be this violent encounter that would prompt Strange to pledge his life to studying the mystic arts-in an effort to combat Mordo and villains like him. Under the tutelage of the now battle-scarred Ancient One, he learned the ways of eastern mysticism and sorcery, learning how to “invoke the power of awesome entities, or Principalities, who reside in their own realms…” (Doctor Strange Bio: www.marvel.com).

During his exhaustive publication history, one of Strange’s most formidable and memorable adversaries remains the dreaded Dormammu, a ruler of “the dark dimension” and former foe of the Ancient One. As the Ancient One aged in power and ability, Dormammu would occasionally enter the Earth realm, challenging Strange to epic duels of mystic power, all the while plotting to overtake the entire planet. Since his introduction into the Marvel Universe, it has remained unclear as to how long Dormammu has been alive (thousands, perhaps even millions of years), as he is not human in nature or appearance. His clashes with heroes and characters of the supernatural have landed him in several subsequent issues of Ghost Rider and The Fantastic Four.

With flicks of the supernatural motif, such as the Harry Potter and Hellboy sagas, still thrilling moviegoers the world over, it comes as no surprise that Marvel Studios is considering a live-action Doctor Strange film. According to the Internet Movie Database, Doctor Strange is currently slated for release in 2012, with no official word on a month or day. Screenwriter/author Neil Gaiman (Beowulf, 2007) of the Coraline novel fame has been has been added to the project, set to base his plot from comic book author Steve Ditko’s original characters. Back in October of 2008, Slashfilm.com reposted an original interview between MTV and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, who said, “I’d say in the next year, year and a half, as we start putting together our film slate for 2012 and 2013, I would not be shocked if we saw Dr. Strange on those lists. I love the idea of tapping into the magical realm of the Marvel Universe, which is fairly significant and hasn’t yet seen life on screen. It’s something I’m very, very interested in.” (“Marvel is Considering a Dr. Strange Movie: www.slashfilm.com, Oct. 21, 2008).

Feige also noted that the good Doctor’s feature film would certainly have to wait until Iron Man 2 and The Avengers make their much-anticipated silver screen debuts.

Interestingly enough, the Doctor Strange character is one that movie productions companies and directors across Hollywood have been trying to cement for years, dating back to 1986. A script by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Bob Gale of Back to the Future fame was shot down, as well as a 1995 film to be helmed by horror Director Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, 1984 and Red Eye, 2005). Distributing company Savoy Pictures had gone bankrupt and subsequently lost the rights to the movie, at which time Columbia Pictures stepped in and took over all project material and film rights. The Doctor Strange storyline floated through a series of writers, from David S. Goyer (Writer: Batman Begins, 2005 and The Dark Knight, 2008) to Jeff Welch in 1997.

After movie rights were fondled through Dimension Films and Miramax Films, Paramount Pictures finally acquired all entitlements in April 2005, with Director Guillermo Del Toro (of Hellboy fame) having been recruited to the project in February 2008. Del Toro would be the one who eventually approached screenwriter/author Neil Gaiman to pen the storyline for what would be one of Marvel’s most anticipated installments (Olly Richards (2008-02-08). “Exclusive: Del Toro To Make Dr Strange?”. Empire. Retrieved on 2008-03-30). As of now, there is no official word on cast members.