The Hannibal television series is nearing the end of its run, but star Mads Mikkelsen doesn’t appear to be having any trouble lining up high-profile roles to keep him busy.
Along with playing a lead role in 2016’s highly anticipated Star Wars spinoff film Star Wars Anthology: Rogue One, the actor is reportedly in early talks to play a mystery villain in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Doctor Strange movie. Variety reports that Mikkelsen’s exact role in Doctor Strange remains a closely guarded secret, but that he’ll likely play an antagonist to Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange, a talented surgeon who becomes one of the world’s greatest sorcerers.
This isn’t the first time Marvel has courted Mikkelsen for a villainous role. The actor was previously considered for the role of Malekith, the villain of Thor: The Dark World. The role eventually went to Doctor Who alum Christopher Eccleston.
If Mikkelsen does indeed join the cast of Doctor Strange, he’ll join Sherlock star Cumberbatch and previously attached cast members Tilda Swinton and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Swinton will portray the title character’s mentor, The Ancient One, while Ejiofor is expected to play one of Doctor Strange’s greatest foes in Marvel Comics lore, Baron Mordo — meaning that Mikkelsen might not be the only villain in the 2016 film. Rachel McAdams has also been rumored for a role.
Directed by Sinister and Deliver Us From Evil filmmaker Scott Derrickson, Doctor Strange is based on a script co-written by Prometheus writer Jon Spaihts. The character was created by Steve Ditko and made his first appearance in a 1963 issue of Strange Tales, and went on to appear in various animated series over the years in addition to comics, often with dark, occult themes.
Doctor Strange is currently scheduled to hit theaters November 4, 2016.
