I love how all this Phoenix concerns comes with no real credibility. Forget about his mockumentary and the beard. He has never had any problems with directors or his co-stars. Only on here can we put into question the man's caliber. But I'm not surprised, they did the same thing to Heath.
The old Iron Man threads are still on here....funny to see the same concerns about RDJ.
Again, the guy can act. And no he's never had issues, but he's generally been a guy working under guys like PTA, Scott, Jonze. Working int he studio game under someone like Derrickson would be a different bag of tea. I wasn't around for the RDJ/Heath stuff, but I can't understand the Heath concerns because he's a guy who was a studio dream -- a young fresh-faced "heart throb". He had worked with very little in terms of authoritative directors. Lee and Emmerich are the biggest names I can think of, and he had come from a movie like 10 Things.
Regardless, the point stands. If the idea is to have Strange be the new "Stark" -- the charismatic leader/face of the MCU -- once RDJ is gone. This does come with some risk of a guy who may commit and go "nah, not my thing." He could sign a 20 movie deal and still only do 1. Look at what happened with Weaving -- he's basically said that despite his contract they'd have to force him back.
Phoenix brings those doubts to mind, whereas casting someone who's done the studio thing or is a younger more impressionable up-and-comer who a studio can get excited about the "future of film" maybe brings less doubt, whether founded or not.
Well all these issues are what we assume are being worked out in negotiations. I'm sure Phoenix has contacted RDJ, Evans, etc in terms of what to expect and to get an overall picture of the experience. The fact that the two parties are still at the table (according to reports) should tell you that Marvel doesn't see anything too worrisome at this point regarding his artistic sensibilities. He signs or he doesn't. I don't think he signs a 6-9 picture deal though. Possibly 3-4 and then go from there.
I'd love to see him as Strange, and I'd love to see him take the mantle. He'd be phenomenal, in my opinion. All I'm saying is there is a slight pinch that has to be going through the fans and studios minds when it comes to a guy like him.
Yeah Edward Norton was always an egotistical ******* whom wants to take over his movies but where are all the stories about Phoenix? When hasn't he been professional?
No one is saying he isn't professional -- and FWIW, Norton wanted to come back, and started negotiations to do so. He even met with Whedon and was said to have been extremely excited with what Joss wanted to do with Banner moving forward. It was apparently Joss and Kevin who decided to move on, with Joss preferring Ruffalo (who was Leterrier's first choice as well -- Feige apparently decided upon Norton).
What people worry about is the guy not liking studio obligations and the media scrutiny/questions that come with doing these Marvel films, as well as doing green screen work. McKellan broke down doing the Hobbit and having a piece in his ear in front of a green screen. I wonder about that with a guy like Phoenix too.