Joaquin Phoenix Rejecting Doctor Strange Role Affected MCU’s Hiring Process

Imagine Doctor Strange flying up to Dormammu to bargain, but then imagine Joaquin Phoenix in the red cape with the blue wizard’s uniform. Reportedly, Joaquin Phoenix rejected Doctor Strange’s role and put a new and improved hiring process at MCU into work. 

Marvel’s former lawyer Paul Sarker has disclosed that Marvel has changed its tune around long-term contracts after Joaquin Phoenix turned down Doctor Strange.

The 2016 film introduced a new Avenger into the MCU, and his entry into the game was not easy. In dealing with copyright issues between Marvel, Warner Bros., and other big studios, many versions of Doctor Strange have been thrown out or stored away in the past few decades. Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee had even co-written a script for the magician, but the deal fell through.  

But with the MCU taking big leaps toward creating its own universe of heroes and villains, the right time to put aside legal issues had come. Scott Derrickson of Sinister fame was selected to co-write and direct alongside C. Robert Cargill and Jon Spaihts, and with their hard work, fans saw the birth of a new MCU hero.

But before Benedict Cumberbatch’s casting in the Doctor Strange role, Joaquin Phoenix was in talks with Marvel to join the MCU as the famed wizard. 

In an interview with TheDirect, Marvel’s former lawyer Paul Sarker disclosed that though they were about to close the deal with Joaquin Phoenix, the actor pulled out due to feeling uncomfortable with the long-term commitment contracts.

But to be perfectly honest, the Joaquin Phoenix thing was unique to me because there was a deal and because it was pretty far along. And we were hopeful that it would close, but it didn’t. And that happens.

Sarker also stated that the head of Marvel studios, Kevin Feige, then shelved the lengthy contracts to avoid putting the strain on actors.

Things like that may be why Kevin is saying we don’t want to do these super long-term deals because we want to see what works and if it works, and people want to do more, then we’d love to have [them]. We don’t want someone to feel like they’re forced.

This change in MCU’s hiring process has clearly helped avoid such rejections. Oscar Isaac, who starred as the lead in the MCU series Moon Knight, signed on just for the TV series, even though Feige has major plans in the future for the character.

For now, MCU’s decision to not immediately have its actors sign on for lengthy durations seems to be going well, both for the performers and the franchise.

About Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is the sequel to the  2016 movie Doctor Strange. The film is directed by Sam Raimi with a screenplay by Jade Bartlett and Michael Waldron.

It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Xochitl Gomez.

The sequel revolves around the dangerous consequences of Doctor Strange opening the multiverse.  

Source: The Direct