Hollywood is brimming with films that never made it to the grand stage. Occasionally, it’s because the story isn’t deemed worthy of the studios’ financial investment, while in other instances, the individuals behind the pitches lack the requisite experience to support their ambitious concepts. But sometimes even coveted figures like Guillermo del Toro get rejected by studios.
There are some unfulfilled pitches that are so compelling that they leave us questioning the decision-making process that led them to the scrap heap. Such is the case with Neil Gaiman’s proposed Doctor Strange movie, which would have seen Guillermo del Toro taking the helm as director.
Guillermo Del Toro’s Doctor Strange That Never Happened
It appears that Neil Gaiman and Guillermo del Toro’s vision for a Doctor Strange film fell victim to unfortunate timing. Prior to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Marvel hadn’t yet realized that lesser-known characters had the potential to become blockbuster sensations. While Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of the sorcerer has since become an iconic figure within the MCU, it’s worth noting that Doctor Strange was virtually unknown to audiences outside the realm of comic book enthusiasts.
Indeed, Marvel took a gamble by putting Iron Man at the forefront of their franchise blueprint. Nevertheless, in all fairness, it’s not difficult to comprehend why they rejected Neil Gaiman and Guillermo del Toro’s Doctor Strange pitch back in 2007.
While we can appreciate the business rationale behind Marvel’s decision to pass on Neil Gaiman and Guillermo del Toro’s pitch, the concept for their Doctor Strange film remains undeniably captivating. As Gaiman recently disclosed on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, the plan was to craft an origin story for Stephen Strange set in the 1920s, during which he would “become an alcoholic and a disbarred physician.”
Following his descent into the depths of despair, Strange would eventually find solace in the mystic arts, ultimately ascending to the position of Sorcerer Supreme. As envisioned by Gaiman and del Toro, his transformation into a formidable sorcerer would occur, perhaps, during the early 1930s or late 1920s. Remarkably, he would reside in Greenwich Village for nearly a century, seemingly ageless, while remaining inconspicuous to those around him.
Guillermo Del Toro’s Version Would’ve Been Interesting
Neil Gaiman stands out as a gifted writer, with his crowning achievement, The Sandman, widely regarded as one of the finest comic book series ever penned. What sets Gaiman apart is his profound grasp of the necessity to adapt narratives for various media, a skill that has rendered his adaptations of The Sandman, Good Omens, and American Gods remarkably triumphant.
Furthermore, Gaiman possesses an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the comic book industry, making him an ideal candidate to tackle an original script featuring Marvel characters.
Del Toro is a well-established visionary who requires no formal introduction. Throughout the past few decades, he has solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s most influential directors through his work on both original scripts and comic book adaptations like Hellboy. In an industry teeming with talent, only a select few possess del Toro’s extraordinary ability to employ practical effects to breathe life into fantastical characters.
Doctor Strange can be streamed on Disney+.
Source: Happy Sad Confused podcast
