The Latest "Short List" for Doctor Strange

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Marvel is aggressively searching for its next major superhero. Doctor Strange, a key character in The Avengers who appears in several upcoming Marvel pics, including a standalone feature set for July 8, 2016, could be revealed very soon, according to insiders. At the moment, Marvel is looking at a shortlist of actors new and old to the Doctor Strange rumor mill, after Joaquin Phoenix recently exited negotiations.

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Jared Leto
His name was previously linked to Doctor Strange when Marvel first started meeting with actors about the role. Sources tell Variety the recent Oscar-winner is aggressively pursuing the mystical part since Phoenix's departure and despite being notoriously picky about his movie roles, appears ready to get back in front of the camera. "Doctor Strange," somewhat of a rockstar in the Marvel universe, could be the perfect fit for him.

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Oscar Isaac
Marvel has an inside look at his Jedi prowess in Disney's "Star Wars" reboot. Perhaps the actor, after acclaimed turns in “Inside Llewyn Davis” and the upcoming “A Most Violent Year," is ready for another Disney tentpole.

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Matthew McConaughey
It's unclear whether the "Interstellar" actor could even take on Doctor Strange given his busy schedule, but Marvel believes that, after drawing interest from Phoenix, the studio can get anyone in the room and execs want a star for the part.

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Ewan McGregor
The actor has a total of nine films currently in development and hasn't starred in a major tentpole since his days playing young Obi-Wan in the “Star Wars” prequels. But as BadAss Digest previously reported, he's expected to meet for the role and could have a few more tricks up his sleeve.

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Jake Gyllenhaal
Sources say the actor is quite interested in playing a superhero after a string of dark, brooding films like "Prisoners" and "Nightcrawlers," both of which earned the actor rave reviews. Years ago, Gyllenhaal was close to replacing Tobey Maguire in “Spiderman 2” before Maguire came back to the role. It looks like he's still very intrigued with the comicbook realm.

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Ethan Hawke
Hawke, star of Richard Linklater's acclaimed "Boyhood," pursued the role early on and it looks like he's still very much in the mix.

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