Let Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme Open Your Mind!

by contributing writer Nicholas Lai.

Something Strange is in the neighborhood.

It is about that time of the year again when comic book publisher and now superhero-movie giant Marvel Studios is on the brink of releasing the up-and-coming Doctor Strange, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular character. Benedict Cumberbatch of BBC Sherlock fame is also previously known for his roles as Khan (Star Trek Into Darkness, 2013) and as genius historical mathematician Alan Turing (iThe Imitation Game, 2014), and by now it should come as no surprise that he fits well into the shoes of a broken neurosurgeon on the path to redemption, and then mystical prowess and supremacy in this Marvel feature.

Wormholes, magic, sorcery, multiple realities, oh my!

Check the vid above for Benedict's thoughts on joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time.

Delving into the lore of the Marvel Universe, Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange is a brilliant neurosurgeon, with an ego to match, until the day a car accident rendered his hands broken and unable to perform anymore surgery. This event prompted Dr. Strange to go on a trek across the globe for a way to regain his abilities, then coming across the Ancient One and subsequently becoming a student in the mystic arts. This serves as the opening premise by which the feature will begin on without spoiling much of the surprise leading up to the Doctor's development as the Sorceror Supreme.

Classic. It's also being re-released on DVD, Nov. 1, 2016.

In a throwback to 1978, a TV movie produced by a joint effort between CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) and Marvel was released under the unassuming name of Dr. Strange which was loosely-based on the original character. At the time, CBS ran other Marvel features like Spider-man and The Hulk as a series, and Dr. Strange was left as a one-shot of sorts. This added to the mystery as to who the good Doctor was at the time, as his impact on the mainstream media was more subdued compared to his popular counterparts like Captain America and the Avengers.

Fast forward to 2016, and it's already looking like Inception....

Today, Doctor Strange is brought back with new life, and it appears to harken influences like that of Inception (2010) in the imagery brought on by the trailers with multiple realities diverging in a surreal montage, and visions of falling into the sky and tearing open the many landscapes a new one. Taking a cue from a spoken line in the trailers, the Avengers protect the world from physical harm, while those who bear Strange's abilities deal with the more mystical threats the Avengers would not know of. Following the 15-minute preview that took place on the 12th of October, 2016 at TGV Cinemas, it appears that the film would not disappoint.

Dr. Strange 15-min Exclusive IMAX Preview Night, Oct. 12, 2016.
The boys in their Strange outfits. ;D
Photo credit: TGV Cinemas.

Other worldly planes of existence are mind-blowing in IMAX 3D.

The Doctors are IN!

Casting our spells together to call forth power of the Vishanti!

Make mine Marvel. #cosplay

Doctor Strange is a movie made for #Maybank #IMAX. Watch it in #TGVCinemas next week!

Posted by TGVCinemas on Sunday, 16 October 2016

Nothing raises the bar higher than having a star-studded cast, so drumroll, please!

Benedict Cumberbatch is Dr. Stephen Strange.

Rachel McAdams is Christine Palmer. 

Chiwetel Ejiofor is Mordo, apparently not Dr. Strange's nemesis... yet.

Tilda Swinton is The Ancient One.

Benedict Wong is Wong... just Wong, like Dell.

Mads Mikkelsen is evil sorcerer Kaecilius.

The Outpost Movie Recon Team (M.R.T.) has scouted out some fanboy experiences in Malaysia  and maybe found where to net Doctor Strange goodies: an Eye of Agamotto (powers not included), anyone?

First, meet Doctor Strange himself at Sunway Pyramid as he gently floats by his Cloak of Levitation and casts his spell with mystic runes encircling his hands.

Doctor Strange greets shoppers at near the main entrance of Sunway Pyramid shopping centre.
Photo credit: Anjerasu

By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggath, we wonder what spell is he casting? 

For cosplayers of the Sorcerer Supreme, excellent costume references here.

This mystic mirror allows one to warp reality or open portals to other realms, which resemble Hong Kong.

Over at Golden Screen Cinemas, step into shifting realities but remember to make your way back! Exclusively at GSC Pavilion KL, Paradigm Mall and Ipoh Parade.

Get creative with this world-bending environment! Are you falling up? Or lying down?
Photo: GSC Facebook.

GSC is also giving away the Eye of Agamotto to 10 lucky GSC members. Starting today until Sunday 23 October, the first 20 customers to purchase 10 tickets through the GSC website or mobile App will net win an Eye of Agamotto prop.  Cumulative purchases are allowed, so take your whole gang along for a movie outing and you may well win this priceless artifact! Terms and condition at the GSC website.

Grab this Time Gem before Thanos completes his Infinity Gauntlet! Ops, SPOILER!

KLIPS is giving away invites to the Premiere Screening of Doctor Strange at GSC 1 Utama on 26 October 2016. Stand a chance to win by sharing their movie posts and submit links through an online form by 24 October. They also have Doctor Strange movie premiums to give away through similar mechanics submitted by 28 October. There are caps, backpack, hoodies, button badges and more.

Those badges look Strangely nice. 

Meanwhile Fox Premium Movies is also giving out similar movie Premiums plus the Eye of Agamotto through simple contest on their Facebook Page here until 6 November.

For mass market toys, Hasbro has included movie characters into their Marvel Legends 6in scale action figures in the Masters of Magic set. Doctor Strange together with Karl Mordo comes with parts to form arch-villain Dormammu if you purchase the other 6 figures of the sets.

  

For cutesy toys, Funko POP! will be unleashing a number of their highly collectible bobble-heads. Find out more about Funko's line up from movieweb.com and stay tuned Sheldonet Toy Store bringing them to our local shores.

Fans of LEGO will be delighted to build Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum. Minifigs include Dr. Strange, Mordo and The Ancient One battling a mystical menace barging in on the good doctor's home. This LEGO set is also priced at a more affordable RM149.90 and available at most major toy stores.

For high-end, i.e. expensive, collectibles, Hot Toys will be releasing that 1:6 scale Doctor Strange next year. Pre-orders have already opened from local retailers like ShiokToys Collectibles at an indicative price of RM868. Check out more photos on Hot Toys Facebook Photo Album.

Fangirls of Benedict Cumberbatch will certainly want to take this home!

On a sidenote, I personally cannot wait for Doctor Strange to meet Iron Man, played by Robert Downey Jr. in the near future as they have both played Sherlock Holmes in their respective films and series prior to being included into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Sherlock Holmes(es). 

The Doctor's prescription: watch the movie, and proceed to be spellbound.

Marvel's Doctor Strange opens in Malaysian cinemas on 27 October 2016.

And remember to stay to the end of the credits and look-out for that Stan Lee cameo!

Disclaimer: Doctor Strange and other trademarks are copyright to Marvel Entertainment and/or Disney, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.