If you think that "Hannibal" actor Mads Mikkelsen could not get any more chilling as the calculating and manipulative flesh-eating Dr. Hannibal Lecter, then just wait until you see him play the villain in Marvel's latest film "Doctor Strange."
According to Variety, Marvel is currently courting the Danish actor to play one of the villains alongside British actor Benedict Cumberbatch's Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange. No other details have been revealed about the role the studio wants him to play, and when sought for comment about his casting, Marvel had no comment.
Other stars who have already signed on to the "Doctor Strange" film are British actors Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo. "The Notebook" actress Rachel McAdams has also been offered the role as the female lead, but it has not yet been confirmed whether the actress has accepted or not.
It will be directed by Scott Derrickson with a script coming from Jon Spaihts. Marvel's Kevin Feige will produce.
Doctor Strange is a former neurosurgeon who becomes the next Sorcerer Supreme and primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats, and his character was created by Marvel Comics artist Steve Ditko back in 1963.
He learns about his powers through The Ancient One, who also taught Baron Mordo everything he knew before he turns rogue and becomes Doctor Strange's nemesis.
The movie's synopsis reads: "After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under his wing and trains him to defend the world against evil."
"Doctor Strange" will be released on November 4, 2016, while production will begin late this year.
It will not be the first time Mikkelsen will venture into the Marvel universe, should he accept the offer, since the former gymnast already played the villain Malekith in "Thor: The Dark World." When Mikkelsen landed the role of "Hannibal," he was forced to give up the role of Malekith, which eventually went to Christopher Eccleston.
Now that "Hannibal" has been cancelled, Mikkelsen is finally free to take on new roles. He already nabbed a part in "Star Wars: Rogue One," which will hit theaters on December 16, 2016.
Mikkelsen has also appeared in several movies such as "The Hunt," "Casino Royale," "The Salvation," "Age of Uprising," "King Arthur," and many others.
He is repped by UTA and Art Management.
