Benedict Cumberbatch performed motion capture for Dormammu
As Doctor Strange arrives to theaters in the UK, Benedict Cumberbatch’s “second role” became clear, performing the motion capture for Dormammu. At the end of the film we see Mads Mikkelsen’s Kaecilius summon Dormammu, a major villain that fans will recognize.
Director Scott Derrickson confirms the actor’s role and inspiration behind the character.
“The voice was a British actor whose name I don’t know, and Benedict – Benedict did the facial capture for it.”
Derrickson was asked if this was like Thanos, who just hadn’t been cast yet.
“No, no, it wasn’t that at all. We knew it was an all CG character, but as we were in production Benedict brought it up as an idea. He said, ‘What would you think about me doing it?’ I said, ‘Let me think about it, you know.’
“It’s an interesting idea, because I did fancy the idea that as this other-dimensional being he’s not moving through the Dark Dimension, with a countenance, with eyes and a face, eyes and a mouth, and a human visage – why would he? He takes that form on to communicate with Strange.
“The more I thought about it the more I liked the idea. Because no one understood Dormammu better than Benedict did. I also wrote that role to be a kind of ultra-inflated version of Strange. He is an ego run amok; he is this cosmic conqueror where everything, where literally everything in the multi-verse is about him.There’s something interesting about this confrontation of this little, tiny guy who has this power of time and this monstrous conqueror who is trapped by a clever gambit. There’s something about that worked well, and I didn’t think anybody to interact with Benedict than he, himself.”
Dormammu is essentially the ultimate version of a Doctor Strange gone wrong.
Full synopsis of the film below.
Joining Cumberbatch is Rachel McAdams, a former co-worker and fellow doctor, Christine Palmer and Wong (Benedict Wong), a sidekick of sorts with Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and Baron Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor).
Doctor Strange arrives on November 4, 2016.
Dormammu art by Kevin Maguire from Defenders vol 3 #1
Synopsis:
From Marvel Studios comes “Doctor Strange,” the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing, and hope, in an unlikely place—a mysterious enclave known as Kamar-Taj. He quickly learns that this is not just a center for healing but also the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long Strange—armed with newly acquired magical powers—is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.
“Doctor Strange” stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt and Scott Adkins, with Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton. Scott Derrickson is directing with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard, Charles Newirth and Stan Lee serve as executive producers. Jon Spaihts and Scott Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill wrote the screenplay. Join Strange on his dangerous, mystifying and totally mind-bending journey when Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange” opens in U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016.
