In just a couple of months, Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will continue with the theatrical premiere of Doctor Strange. Starring the fan-favorite Benedict Cumberbatch as the Sorcerer Supreme, the film will explore the magical and mystical elements of the franchise, introducing viewers to all new dimensions and realities. Director Scott Derrickson sold Marvel on his “psychedelic” pitch, and the footage showcased in the trailers have hinted at a mind-bending adventure in the vein of Christopher Nolan’s Inception. Doctor Strange is another Marvel origin story, but it certainly looks different from what’s come before.
There’s a lot Derrickson has to unpack in his movie, so many fans have been wondering how long the film will be. Typically, MCU installments are in the 2-hour range, though some of the larger ones (like The Avengers) are closer to the 2.5 hour mark. A week ago, a new rumor suggested that Doctor Strange would fit comfortably between those two, coming in at 130 minutes (2 hours, 10 minutes). However, that bit of information has now revealed to be false.
Taking to Twitter, none other than Derrickson denied the report of Doctor Strange’s runtime. He didn’t elaborate further, but viewers are now left to wonder how long the latest Marvel movie will be:
Chances are, the original claim of 130 minutes isn’t too far off from the final cut. Even Guardians of the Galaxy, which featured a whole team of misfits banding together to save the universe, was a svelte 121 minutes. By now, Marvel has perfected their formula down to a science and it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing. A good comparison might be last summer’s Ant-Man, which followed a huge ensemble film on the studio’s release calendar. Scott Lang’s introduction clocked in at just under two hours, so perhaps Stephen Strange will receive similar treatment. After the long Captain America: Civil War, a shorter entry could be in order.
@slashfilm that reported run time is false.— Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) September 15, 2016
As for why an official time isn’t locked in yet, there are a number of reasons. The movie is still in post-production, meaning Derrickson could still be assembling his edit, incorporating the material from the reshoots with what was filmed during principal photography. It’s important to keep in mind that Star Wars: The Force Awakens wasn’t completed until November 3, 2015, a little more than a month from its premiere. In the grand scheme of things, Derrickson still has ample time to deliver his latest project, and there’s no real rush to finish. Everything has been moving along smoothly, and fans should not be concerned at this development. Soon enough, the real runtime of Doctor Strange will be revealed, but for now, it’s another Marvel mystery.
Doctor Strange opens November 4, 2016; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man: Homecoming– July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; Avengers: Infinity War – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel – March 8, 2019; Untitled Avengers – May 3, 2019; and as-yet untitled Marvel movies on July 12, 2019, and on May 1, July 10, and November 6 in 2020.
Source: Scott Derrickson
