Speaking to /Film, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige gave some insight into how Doctor Strange‘s sorcery could work in the pseudo-scientific world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe – one in which even the Norse gods are other-dimensional beings that teleport down from their higher plane.
“Doctor Strange is a classic Marvel origin story,” said Feige, “because he’s got one of the best origins ever. And it is our opportunity to take a left turn into the supernatural.
“Now, what is the definition of ‘supernatural’? It varies. We like the idea of playing with alternate dimensions. [Doctor] Strange, in a very [Steve] Ditko, crazy astro-trip way, traveling through dimensions and traveling through other realms is something we think is very cool. And playing with perceptions of reality.
“I just watched the Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Cosmos series, which is amazing, and which may as well be an acid trip. It may as well be Doc Strange! It is a mind-bending [series], all based in physics and based in quantum mechanics, and we’re going to play a lot with the notion of that as an explanation for how the sorcerers do what they do.”
Quantum physics deals with the behaviour of particles at a subatomic level, and how relationships between particles can often defy conventional understandings of physics to the point where it appears magical.
Supernatural phenomena which have found explanations in quantum physics involve alternate universes, telekinesis, telepathy, ghosts and astral projection, so there’s plenty for Marvel to draw on for the Scott Derrickson-helmed movie.
Scott Derrickson’s new film Deliver Us From Evil is in cinemas 22 August 2014. You can buy Sinister on Blu-ray for £6.76 at Amazon.co.uk.
