The 1978 movie Dr. Strangeis getting a Blu-Ray release from Shout Factory next week. The Marvel character Doctor Strange is best known for his appearances in the MCU as portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch's version of the character originally debuted in the 2016 film Doctor Strange, going on to appear in four other crossover films (including last year's megahit Spider-Man: No Way Home) before his first official sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which is coming to theaters on May 6, 2022.
However, the characters of Marvel comics have a history that extends long before the MCU began, with 2008's Iron Man. There were several early attempts to bring the comic book superhero to life, especially on the TV movie circuit of the 1970s and 1980s, which also resulted in the 1979 Captain America (starring Reb Brown) and its sequel Captain America II: Death Too Soon. Dr. Strange came out one year before his future MCU compatriot graced the small screen, featuring Orca: The Killer Whale's Peter Hooten as the iconic sorcerer.
Thankfully for those who want to catch up with everything Doctor Strange before the new film, boutique Blu-Ray label Shout Factory is putting out a Blu-Ray of the original 1978 film next week. The Blu-Ray, which is currently available for pre-order at the price of $26.98, is officially due on April 26, 2022. In addition to a brand new HD transfer of the film, the release will also feature an audio commentary by pop culture historian Russell Dyball and The Panel Jumper host Cole Hornaday.
In addition to Peter Hooten, Dr. Strange stars Arrested Development's Jessica Walter as Morgan LeFay, Prom Night star and Twister screenwriter Anne-Marie Martin as Clea Lake, and ParadiseRoad's Clyde Kusatsu as Wong, the character portrayed in the MCU by Benedict Wong. The film functions as an origin story for the hero, discovering his magical potential as he is forced to face off against mythical sorceress LeFay, who is bent on turning him to the dark side. Academy Award-winning actor Sir John Mills also appeared in the film as the Sorcerer Supreme who takes Stephen Strange under his wing.
While Dr. Strange has never been a major part of the Marvel movie conversation, the next month may change that. With this Blu-Ray release perfectly coinciding with the sequel and its resulting increase in general interest for the character, the time may be ripe for the 1978 project to finally get its due. It certainly doesn't have the production value of Sam Raimi's Multiverse of Madness, but it's an important piece of the pop culture puzzle that led to the film and its inevitable box office success.
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