Doctor Strange concept art reveals Ryan Gosling as Benedict Cumberbatch's replacement
RYAN GOSLING in Doctor Strange original concept art has been released, showing the La La Land star as the Sorcerer Supreme when it looked like Benedict Cumberbatch couldn’t take the part.
Cumberbatch diagnoses Avengers injuries as Doctor Strange
Last year the Sherlock star mesmerised audiences with his mind-bending incarnation of the character.
However there was one point when Cumberbatch almost didn’t take the part and other Hollywood A-listers were being seriously considered.
Director Scott Derrickson revealed he auditioned Jared Leto, Joaquin Phoenix and Gosling himself.
Now official concept art has surfaced depicting Gosling as Doctor Strange, showing just how serious Disney were about casting him.
Doctor Strange concept art reveals Ryan Gosling as Benedict Cumberbatch's replacement
Doctor Strange concept art shows Ryan Gosling as the Sorcerer Supreme pic.twitter.com/Hmdn3F9XtQ
— David ?????? (@RogueNoOne) January 6, 2017
Artist Court Chu posted the work on his blog, stating he only worked on the design for around a day.
Back in September Derrickson claimed that Cumberbatch was “the only actor we seriously considered” for the role.
The problem was that Cumberbatch was tied up playing Hamlet in London until autumn 2015 and they wanted the film to be released in summer 2016.
Derrickson told Empire: “It just wasn’t possible. To his credit he said, ‘I can’t bail out of Hamlet. I’ve given my word.’”
This was the point when the director decided to audition other actors, including Gosling.
However Derrickson came to the conclusion that it had to be Cumberbatch so incredibly Marvel moved the release date just for him.
Cumberbatch, who is also set to play Doctor Strange in Thor Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War, was amazed at Marvel boss Kevin Feige’s kindness.
Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson consider a whole host of A-list actors
The actor said: “I really did think I had to kiss it goodbye.
“If you can’t jump on board when the ride’s going past that’s usually it, so the hugest compliment they paid me was to come back to me.
“It motivated me to try to fulfil their faith in me.”
Doctor Strange is out on Blu-ray and DVD in the UK on March 6, 2017.