It's been a Doctor Strange kind of day. Not only have we seen some magical new images of Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role, along with confirmation that Mads Mikkelsen will be taking on a villainous arc, we've also been privy to new intel regarding Rachel McAdams' part in the mysterious Marvel movie. We're still a ways away from the November 4, 2016 release date for the film, so the studio hasn't released an official announcement one way or another yet, but we do have some new quotes as to the nature of McAdams' character.

In an interview with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and Doctor Strange executive producer Stephen Broussard, EW managed to extract a couple of interesting tidbits about McAdams' female lead in the film. Keep in mind that Doctor Strange also stars Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo, and Michael Stuhlbarg as Nicodemus West. Much like that latter character, it seems like McAdams' own role will be a fellow surgeon of Dr. Stephen Strange.

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Image via Marvel Studios

According to Feige:

“Rachel McAdams plays a fellow surgeon that has a history with Strange and is his sort of lynchpin to his old life, once he steps into he role of a sorcerer. She is someone he connects with at the beginning, and reconnects with, and helps anchor his humanity.”

So, to equate the role with similar ones from the Marvel world, it sounds like she'll be playing a Jane Foster-type part. To what extent magic will be playing into the hands of McAdam's character has yet to be revealed. Broussard elaborated on the part:

“Rachel McAdams is sort of [Doctor Strange’s] contemporary in the modern-day New York world, before and after he goes on this crazy journey. So, she sees him before, she sees him after. She’s kind of this audience point of view.”

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Image via HBO

I certainly hope they give McAdams more to do than react to Strange's new abilities and check the box of "love interest", but as Cumberbatch himself seems to suggest, it sounds like that's what we'll be seeing:

“I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say what the interest is, but if I hit on her more than the Ancient One, put it like that.”

Perhaps Disney/Marvel will surprise audiences and find some way for McAdams' character to take on more agency within the film franchise, much like Evangeline Lilly's Ant-Man character Hope van Dyne is expected to do in the follow-up film, Ant-Man and The Wasp. Until we see differently, I'll keep my expectations lowered.

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Image via Marvel Studios

The film’s official logline is as follows:

“Doctor Strange” follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.

 

“Doctor Strange” is the latest film in Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase 3’s goal—over the course of four years and nine films—is to introduce audiences to new heroes and continue the adventures of fan favorites.

For more on Doctor Strange, be sure to check out our recent coverage provided at the links below:

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Image via Marvel Studios