Ewan McGregor Reveals He Nearly Played Dr. Strange but Missed Out in the End: “I’m Not a Big Comic Guy

As a dedicated fan of both Star Wars and the MCU, I can’t help but wonder about the alternate universe where Ewan McGregor played Doctor Strange instead of Benedict Cumberbatch. The thought is tantalizing, especially considering McGregor’s charismatic performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequels.


Actors who appear in either Star Wars or Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) tend to gain widespread recognition and significant earnings, as these two franchises are highly influential and profitable in the entertainment industry.

Ewan McGregor, a well-known actor from the Star Wars series, revealed he almost took on the role of Doctor Strange, who is now the star of a popular and successful movie series.

McGregor openly acknowledged that he wasn’t particularly fond of comic books or familiar with the character of Doctor Strange, yet he found the role to be captivating nonetheless.

“I found myself quite captivated by it, indeed. It seemed thrilling. To be honest, I’m not particularly into comics, so I wasn’t familiar with Doctor Strange. However, the concept of becoming a superhero character piqued my interest. Regrettably, they didn’t choose me for the role, but being involved in it, even briefly, was still enjoyable.”

Source: MTV

Ewan McGregor taking on the role of Doctor Strange could have been a major career milestone, continuing his rise from his breakout role in Trainspotting to his iconic portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I. McGregor seemed like a promising choice for Doctor Strange, but the role ultimately required a particular aura of smugness and privilege that McGregor didn’t quite embody, leading to Benedict Cumberbatch, who has become synonymous with the character, being cast instead.

McGregor wasn’t the sole contender for the role. In fact, Marvel Studios opted to delay their summer release specifically to attract Benedict Cumberbatch. This strategic move eventually paid off.

Initially, Joaquin Phoenix was thought to be suitable for the part, but the production team ultimately opted to pursue a distinct concept instead, a decision that has proven successful since then.

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2024-09-06 12:13