“Doctor Strange” Principal Photography Starts in London

Screen Daily International is reporting that “Doctor Strange” has begun principal photography in London earlier this week. Rachel’s co-stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Chiwetel Ejiofor were spotted filming in Nepal last week. MEW is reporting that the production will also film in New York. Variety recently reported that Michael Stuhlbarg is in talks to play Nicodemus West, while The Wrap reported yesterday that Amy Landecker joined the cast.

Marvel fantasy Doctor Strange has begun principal photography in the UK at Longcross Film Studios. Following a brief stint on location in Kathmandu, Nepal, the anticipated production is expected to be housed at Longcross until early spring 2016.

Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) stars as the eponymous Doctor Strange, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon whose career is derailed but gets a new lease of life when a sorcerer (Tilda Swinton) takes him under his wing and trains him to defend the world against evil. The character, who made his first appearance in the Marvel Universe more than 50 years ago, was first created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen, Michael Stuhlbarg and Neve Gachev also star in Marvel’s latest likely blockbuster, which is expected to offer a more psychedelic experience than previous Marvel features. Scott Derrickson directs Jon Spaihts’ script, which is produced by Kevin Feige.

Disney’s release is set for November 2016 in the US.

With studio space at a premium in the UK, Longcross has become a popular alternative or combination for US studios with Pinewood, Shepperton and Leavesden. Productions to shoot at the Surrey location in recent years include Guardians Of The Galaxy, Fast And Furious 6, Captain Phillips, World War Z and Thor 2.

Rachel has been in London, presumably for pre-production work, since earlier this month and was unable to join the “Spotlight” press tour in the U.S. so far. No word yet on who she will be playing.