Marvel's cinematic tentacles stretch far and wide, to projects they control and even to some they don't. Ryan Reynolds and Benedict Cumberbatch have been circling the roles of Deadpool and Doctor Strange for awhile, years in Reynolds' case, and while it was always expected a deal would get done neither has been made official until now.
First up, Deadline reports Reynolds is signing on to star in 20th Century Fox's forever-developing solo Deadpool film directed by Tim Miller. Reynolds played the character in X-men Origins: Wolverine, but that version of Deadpool barely resembled the comic book. Nicknamed the "Merc with a Mouth", Deadpool is a fast-talking mercenary known for cracking jokes and brutal efficiency. Stricken with cancer, Deadpool agrees to be part of the Weapon X program (same one that created Wolverine) and gains a healing factor, although it leaves his body and face scarred. Production on the film is set to begin in March for release on February 12th 2016, so get your chimichangas ready.
And finally Benedict Cumberbatch will don the Eye of Agamotto and star as Doctor Strange, with Marvel finally making the deal official. Scott Derrickson is directing the film about Dr. Stephen Strange, a vain neurosurgeon who loses everything after a car accident and begins training in the mystic arts, ultimately becoming Marvel's "Sorcerer Supreme". Strange is expected to be a key part of Marvel's future plans, which should include the character turning up in Avengers: Infinity War. Doctor Strange opens November 4th 2016.
