News Analysis India

Tag: Doctor Strange

  • ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ banned in Saudi Arabia

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Marvel Studios’ much-anticipated movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” has been banned in Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries due to the presence of a gay character.

    The ‘Doctor Strange’ sequel, which will release in the US on May 6, was originally scheduled for hit theatres in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries on May 5.

    According to Variety, the Saudi Arabian censors didn’t issue the distribution certificate to the Benedict Cumberbatch-led superhero movie. The Sam Raimi-directed sequel stars Cumberbatch as the titular character and also features new hero America Chavez, played by actor Xochitl Gomez. Her character in the film is reportedly gay.

    Prior to “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, Marvel’s “The Eternals” was banned in Saudi Arabia, over its same-gender couple romance and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first gay superhero.

    “Doctor Strange” sequel follows the Sorcerer Supreme as he tries to contain the aftermath of the multiverse-fracturing spell he cast in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, which caused villains from across the multiverse to spill over into the central Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline.

  • Benedict Cumberbatch to host ‘SNL’ in May

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: “The Power of The Dog” star Benedict Cumberbatch will host “Saturday Night Live”, the long-running sketch series, on May 7.

    Cumberbatch’s appearance on “SNL” will come a day after his Marvel Studios movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” hits the screens on May 6.

    This will be thw two-time Oscar-nominated actor’s second hosting gig after he made his debut back in November 2016, reported Deadline. For the episode, the British star will collaborate with indie rock band Arcade Fire who will take the “SNL” stage as musical guest.

    Cumberbatch was recently nominated for the best actor in a leading role Academy Award for his performance in Jane Campion’s “The Power of The Dog”.

    The upcoming episode of “SNL” will mark Arcade Fire’s fifth appearance as a musical guest, following stints in 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018.

  • Doctor Strange is Magic behind the multiverse  

    Express News Service

    The upcoming Benedict Cumberbatch-starrer Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is said to be the key to a new dimension in the celebrated Marvel Cinematic Universe. Based on the trailer, it looks like the bridge connecting the present to the future of the franchise, which is expected to take a different turn with upcoming titles. Naturally, expectations for the film are sky-high among the fans of the superhero. The trailers, replete with enchanting and wild visuals, of the film have also fuelled anticipation.

    Addressing the gorgeous visuals of the film, Cumberbatch shares, “I think already some of the clips people have seen in the trailer spots are just exquisite. You have got to travel through many different universes in a couple of sequences, which I think are going to be truly mind-blowing and will be a cause for a revolving-door audience. I think it’s really how they are held together with a lot of real-life environments and set build.”

    The actor says that the spectacular imagery of the film will challenge the imaginations of the viewer. “I love how big everyone’s imaginations get, how they somehow manage to ally with me as Strange. Also, not to mention how it would be to think about something that’s 20 stories high bearing down on him and throwing a bus at him. It’s magic. And, on the day, Strange carving that thing in half is just a big old fan with a load of people with their hair just going all over the place.

    And you think, ‘How is this going to work?’ But you just give yourself into the moment, and to see the end product is just such a transformational experience for an actor.” The actor shares that experiencing the film on the big screen is nothing short of magic and that he is equally excited to watch the film. “It’s such a transformational experience to be in something in the live-action vein of filming and then see the finished results on the big screen.

    You don’t know what film you are in until you have sat in the theatre. It’s magical, and I am really looking forward to that buzz. But, on the day, you just throw yourself into it with imagination and a childlike sense of play and let go of your self-consciousness because it’s ridiculous what you are trying to achieve or pretend to do. They make it look supremely cool in the end product. So, bring it on. I can’t wait to see it.”Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness will release in theatres in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam on May 6, 2022.

  • Doctor Strange sequel trailer is replete with mystery, excitement and spectacle

    By Express News Service

    The most-awaited trailer of  Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness dropped yesterday. The featurette gives us an insight into the new adventure of the sorcerer superhero. Doctor Strange who is notorious for tampering with time and space is seen paying back for the rule breaks he has done so far.

    To safeguard the multiverse from all dangers and reality from collapsing, he seeks Wanda Maximoff’s help. Along with America Chavez, a heroine capable of jumping through dimensions they go on a journey to restore the balance.  

    The trailer hints at the presence of Professor X from X-men and Human Torch from Fantastic Four. A lot of other new Marvel characters are expected to appear in the film. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, the film has Elisabeth Oslen reprising her role as Wanda and Xochitl Gomez making her debut as America Chavez. Sam Raimi directs Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness from a script by Jade Bartlett and Michael Waldron. 

    Raimi is also known for directing the Spider-Man trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness comes to theatres on May 6.

  • Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen team up for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ teaser

    By ANI

    The first teaser for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ was officially released on Thursday after its first hints in the post-credits scene of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’.

    The next adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe shows Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff team up as monsters and villains from the multiverse spill over into the world after the events of ‘No Way Home’, ‘Loki’ and ‘WandaVision’ set the structural integrity of the multiverse.

    The two-minute-long teaser suggests that the multiverse’s condition could be the reason why an evil, alter ego of Doctor Strange has crossed over to wreak havoc in the main MCU timeline. This originally appeared in the animated Disney Plus series ‘What If…?’

    In addition to everything new in the trailer, there are the mind-bending landscapes that made the original Doctor Strange so visually arresting and characters like America Chavez and a giant eyeball monster, based on the comic-book villains Shuma-Gorath and Gargantos.

    In addition to Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen reprising their roles as Doctor Strange and Wanda, other returning stars include Benedict Wong as Wong, Rachel McAdams as Dr Christine Palmer and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo.

    As per Variety, Xochitl Gomez will debut as the young hero America Chavez with powers to punch holes into different realities.

    Sam Raimi took over from original ‘Doctor Strange’ director Scott Derrickson, who stepped down from the film due to creative differences.

    Raimi is already known in the superhero world for directing the Tobey Maguire ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy for Sony in the 2000s. ‘Loki’ writer Michael Waldron and Jade Halley Bartlett wrote the script.

    After being delayed a full year, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is coming to theatres on May 6, 2022.

  • ‘Doctor Strange’, ‘Thor’ sequels delayed as Disney updates release calender

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Disney has delayed a number of its marquee superhero titles, including “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “Thor: Love and Thunder”.

    “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, which will see Benedict Cumberbatch returning as the titular superhero, has been moved from March 25 to May 6, 2022.

    Chris Hemsworth’s “Thor: Love and Thunder”, which was earlier set to open on May 6, 2022, will now release on July 8, 2022.

    The release dates of three other Marvel Studios projects — “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, “The Marvels” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” — have also been changed.

    “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, a sequel to the 2018 blockbuster “Black Panther”, has shifted to November 11, 2022, from the earlier July 8, 2022 date.

    “The Marvels”, which will bring back Brie Larson as Captain Marvel alongside Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan aka Ms.

    Marvel and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, will open on February 17, 2023.

    Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” will release on July 28, 2023.

    Disney sources told Variety that the delay in the films’ release dates is related to “production and not box office returns”.

    The only Marvel movie sticking to its release date is “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”, which is currently set to open on May 5, 2023.

    Disney has also changed the release of its much-awaited Lucasfilm project “Indiana Jones 5”, postponing it by almost a year.

    Directed by James Mangold, the film will feature veteran actor Harrison Ford as the titular hero for the fifth time.

    The movie will release on June 30, 2023, instead of July 29, 2022.

  • ‘Doctor Strange’, ‘Black Panther 2’ to ‘Avatar’ sequel: Disney India announces release slate

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Disney India on Tuesday announced the release dates of some of the studio’s most awaited tentpoles films like “Doctor Strange: Multiverse Of Madness”, “Thor: Love and Thunder”, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and the sequel to “Avatar”.

    The slate for 2021-2022 will kickstart with the big ticket Diwali release, Marvel Studios’ “Eternals”, directed by Oscar winner Chloe Zhao.

    The superhero spectacle will be released on November 5 in six languages – English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

    Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange: Multiverse Of Madness” will hit the screens on March 25, next year, followed by “Thor: Love and Thunder” on May 6.

    “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, starring Lupita Nyong’o and Letitia Wright, is scheduled to be released theatrically on July 8.

    The Ryan Coogler directorial is a sequel to the 2018 “Black Panther”, which was the first superhero film to feature a virtually all-black cast, led by the late Chadwick Boseman.

    Marvel’s “Blade”, headlined by Mahershala Ali, will be released on October 7, 2022.

    Directed by Bassam Tariq, the film will see Ali play the titular vampire hunter in the new movie, taking over from actor Wesley Snipes, who essayed the role in the 1998 hit and its two sequels.

    “The Marvels”, starring Brie Larson, Iman Vellani and Teyonah Parris, will hit the screens on November 11, 2022.

    Veteran filmmaker James Cameron’s ambitious sequel to the blockbuster “Avatar” will release theatrically on December 16, next year.

    The film marks the return of original stars Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana.

    Kate Winslet and Cliff Curtis are the new additions to the cast.

    Bikram Duggal, Vice President and Head of Studios, Star and Disney India, said Disney will stay committed to bringing “unique stories” that will entertain audiences across the country.

    “In the coming months we will have an exciting slate that includes many Super Hero spectacles ushering in the new phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe starting with the release of ‘Eternals’ this Diwali.

    “Cinema has always been a key medium that brings people together for memorable experiences, and we are looking forward to creating magic on the big screen once again with our diverse and exciting content,” the statement read.

    Apart from “Eternals”, releases from the studio for 2021 include period drama “The Last Duel”, scheduled for October 22; computer-animated comedy adventure “Ron’s Gone Wrong” on October 29; Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” on November 26; Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” on December 10, and 20th Century Studios’ “The King’s Man” on December 24.

    The 20th Century Studios will start 2022 with the much-awaited “Death on the Nile”.

    Directed by Kenneth Branagh, who reprises his role of detective Hercule Poirot, the film will release theatrically on February 11.

    It also stars Tom Bateman, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer and Ali Fazal among others.

    Disney. Pixar’s “Turning Red” will open on March 11 while the studio’s other outing, “Lightyear”, will be released on June 17.

    Disney India recently released Simu Liu-fronted “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”, Ryan Reynolds’ “Free Guy” and “Jungle Cruise”, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.

  • Scott Derrickson and Timo Tjahjanto to team up for a new flick

    By Express News Service
    Filmmaker Scott Derrickson, known for directing films like Doctor Strange, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, and Sinister, will be teaming up with Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto for his next.

    Derrickson took to Twitter to share a picture of the front page of his new project’s script, revealing that Tjahjanto will be serving as one of the writers on it. Derrickson’s frequent collaborator, C Robert Cargill, will also be a co-writer on this project.

    Responding to Derrickson’s tweet, “Honored to be writing together along with the masters of the craft, and yeah, it’s a crazy one.”

    pic.twitter.com/rMdxWLegEf
    — N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) July 23, 2021

    Details related to the project are currently under wraps. Tjahjanto’s credits include horror flicks like May the Devil Take You and The Night Comes for Us. He is also attached to direct the upcoming English remake of the hit Korean zombie thriller, Train of Busan.

    Meanwhile, Derrickson was initially set to direct Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness but opted out of the project citing creative differences. He remains attached to the project as an executive producer.