Ewan McGregor Reveals He Nearly Played Dr. Strange but Missed Out in the End: “I’m Not a Big Comic Guy

Star Wars and the MCU are two of the most prominent and lucrative franchises in entertainment, and actors who appear in both are often assured of fame and substantial compensation.

Ewan McGregor, one of the most renowned Star Wars actors, disclosed that he was on the verge of playing Doctor Strange—now a standout character in a highly successful film franchise.

McGregor admitted that although he wasn’t a comic book fan and didn’t know who Doctor Strange was, he was still intrigued by the role.

“I was into it, yeah. I thought it was exciting. I’m not a big comic guy, so I didn’t know who Doctor Strange was. So, I was intrigued by it and I like the idea of creating, or being a superhero character. They didn’t [pick me], but it was still fun to be a part of the mix for a while.”

Source: MTV

Ewan McGregor taking on the role of Doctor Strange could have been a major career milestone, continuing his rise from his breakout role in Trainspotting to his iconic portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I. McGregor seemed like a promising choice for Doctor Strange, but the role ultimately required a particular aura of smugness and privilege that McGregor didn’t quite embody, leading to Benedict Cumberbatch, who has become synonymous with the character, being cast instead.

McGregor wasn’t the only actor in the running. Scott Derrickson revealed that Marvel Studios chose to forgo a summer release to secure Cumberbatch, a decision that ultimately proved successful.

Joaquin Phoenix was originally considered for the role, but the studio decided to pursue a different vision, which has since paid off.

What do you think? Would McGregor have been a good fit for the role? Share your thoughts in the comments below!