Mads Mikkelsen in Early Talks for Marvel's DOCTOR STRANGE

By: Aug. 27, 2015
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According to Deadline, HANNIBAL's Mads Mikkelsen is currently in "early talks" to join Marvel's upcoming film DOCTOR STRANGE, starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

The deal is far from done however, with several actors reportedly up for the villainous role.

Scott Derrickson is set to helm the project from a script by Jon Spaihts. Doctor Strange was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko during the early 1960s.

DOCTOR STRANGE will hit theaters on Nov. 14, 2016.

The Copenhagen-born actor began his professional career as a gymnast and dancer, and has worked steadily in theater, television and film to become the top male star in Denmark and Scandinavia.

Mikkelsen starred in the Academy Award-nominated film "A Royal Affair" in the role of Johann Friedrich Struensee, the German physician who became a confidant to the mentally ill King Christian VII and had an affair with his wife, Queen Caroline Mathilde. The film, written and directed by Nikolaj Arcel, premiered in competition at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. The film was release in the United States in 2012.

Mikkelsen was named best actor at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival for his role in "The Hunt." In this film, directed by Thomas Vinterberg ("The Celebration"), Mikkelsen plays a kindergarten teacher in a small Danish village that is falsely accused of child abuse. Following a premiere at Cannes, the film screened at the Telluride Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival and was released by Magnolia Pictures in spring 2013.

Mikkelsen also co-stars in "The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman" in the role of Nigel, a violent crime boss, opposite Shia LaBeouf, Rupert Grint and Evan Rachel Wood. Directed by Fredrik Bond, the film premiered in January 2013 at Sundance Film Festival and was screened in competition at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival.

Last year Mikkelsen completed Kristian Levring's western, "The Salvation," about a Danish immigrant in America circa 1870, in which John, a peaceful pioneer, turns vengeful when a gang leader murders his family. He will next be seen in Anders Thomas Jensen's "Men & Chicken."

Mikkelsen made his film debut with a lead performance in director Nicolas Winding Refn's ("Drive") 1996 international crime drama success "Pusher," part one of a trilogy. He reprised his role as a low-life pusher/junkie in the much-anticipated sequel, "With Blood on My Hands: Pusher 2." This performance garnered him a best actor statue from the Film Academy of Denmark and a best actor award from Denmark's National Association of Film Critics.

In 2004, Mikkelsen made his American debut opposite Clive Owen and Keira Knightley in Disney's "King Arthur." As Tristan, Mikkelsen played the understated hawk-loving scout among Arthur's (played by Owen) Knights of the Round Table.

In 2005, Mikkelsen appeared as a delusional priest in "Adam's Apple" which was the Danish selection for best foreign language Film for the 2006 Oscars.

In 2006, Mikkelsen starred as the villain, Le Chiffre, in the 2006 James Bond film "Casino Royale," which earned more than $594 million worldwide, claiming the title of the highest-grossing James Bond film. Also that year, Mikkelsen played the lead role in the Academy Award-nominated film "After the Wedding," directed by Susanne Bier ("In a Better World"). He also starred in the Swedish thriller "Exit" directed by Peter Lindmark.

In 2009, Mikkelsen was reunited with Danish director Winding-Refn for "Valhalla Rising." The story follows a group of Christians who get tragically lost on a journey to Jerusalem, and takes place in 1,000 A.D.

The following two years Mikkelsen starred as Draco in the "Clash of the Titans" and as Rochefort in "The Three Musketeers."

A graduate of Århus Theatre School, Mikkelsen has subsequently appeared onstage in several productions, including "Romeo and Juliet." Mikkelsen also starred in the police series, "Unit 1" which garnered an International Emmy for best drama series.

Photo Courtesy of NBC



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