Doctor Strange: Description of first look of Benedict Cumberbatch Marvel superhero is revealed

Marvel's Doctor Strange concept art featuring the first look of Benedict Cumberbatch as the mystical superhero was revealed at the recently held Disney press conference in Africa (July 2015). In addition to descriptions of the first conceptual art, cinematographer Ben Davis (Guardians of the Galaxy; Avengers: Age of Ultron) confirmed that he is set to be the director of photography on the Doctor Strange film, currently scheduled for a 2016 release.

As reported on ComicBookMovie and Screen Daily, Davis was speaking at a BAFTA Masterclass in London (4 August) when he revealed details about the production. He also spoke about the overall tone of the film, and it would appear that Strange could be Marvel's darkest film yet. At the event, Davis said that Doctor Strange "has a very psychedelic grounding" and that it's "not your typical Marvel action movie". "Most of the work within it is about other dimensions," he explained. "And I described it, I think, when I was talking to Marvel as Marvel's Fantasia, in a way, because it's so sort of out there and different to everything else that they've done."

Davis further explained how Doctor Strange will be visually unique for the Marvel 'cinematic universe, and perhaps the superhero movie genre in general. "There's a lot of pre-visualisation, and there's a lot of work which is very hard," he said. "You look at it and you see the imagery that they've created for it and you think, 'Well how the hell do we shoot that!?'. It's all very out there. I can't really say much more about it, I'm afraid. But I think it'll be really interesting, and it's a very dark movie, I'm pleased to say."

Reportedly, the film's concept art showcased Cumberbatch as neurosurgeon Stephen Strange and Sorcerer Supreme – and thanks to a series of Twitter posts, we can get a vague idea of how the actor will look as the Marvel superhero.

Thoughts on the @Marvel Doctor Strange concept art from #DisneyAfrica is that Benedict Cumberbatch has never looked more menacing.

— Shaheema Barodien (@Shaheemab) July 29, 2015

@itchicko There's definitely goatee – he wouldn't be #DoctorStrange without it! But keep in mind we only saw concept art.

— Shaheema Barodien (@Shaheemab) July 29, 2015

@ohgodbenny His costume isn't too colourful. From what I remember, robes are blood red and green and cap is black.

— Nick Cowen (@witenoyze) July 30, 2015

Production on Doctor Strange is reported to begin this November in UK.