When Marvel Studios confirmed they were bringing Doctor Strange to the big screen, fans wondered which comic book characters would get live-action counterparts. Of course, fans know that Benedict Cumberbatch was cast as Stephen Strange, but many wondered if an actress would be asked to play Clea in the movie. Sadly, the character was never introduced to audiences when the movie hit theaters. Now, the screenwriter of Doctor Strange is speaking out about Clea’s absence and hinting that the character may still make an appearance.
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Recently, Jon Spaihts spoke with Comic Book Resources about his time writing Passengers and looked back on his Doctor Strange work. It was there that the writer was asked about Clea’s absence, and Spaihts had this to say:
“She’s a tricky character to interpret because her uncle is a kind of fire-headed omnipotent god and she’s kind of a hot babe who studies magic.”
Spaihts continued, “That’s a tricky relationship to bring out of a comic book and on to a movie screen. But she’s a really compelling character as a foil, a love interest, a colleague of Doctor Strange’s, and she always carries with her that width of mystery as to whether she is human, and how human, and what that means for his relationship to her. So we might find a way to introduce her to the story.”
If you are not familiar with Clea, then you should know the character is well-known amongst comic book readers. Clea rules over the Dark Dimension as its princess and is a very powerful sorcerer. Despite her underworld residence, Clea is anything but a villain; In fact, she continues to rule over the Dark Dimension in order to keep it from spilling into the material world. Clea meets Doctor Strange when the hero enters the Dark Dimension to battle otherworldly entities, and the princess comes to his aid. Of course, the two fall in love, and Clea works with Doctor Strange to help keep their homes separate.
For those of you wondering why Clea wasn’t included in the first place, the decision was made with audiences in mind. When ComicBook.com went on a set visit to Doctor Strange, Kevin Feige explained that Clea was excluded in order to feature a grounded female lead.
“We wanted a grounded character, we wanted a character that a connection to Strange’s life in New York City and in the normal world. Somebody that could be his anchor to the real world. To his presence in the beginning of the film and by the time he encounters that wearing that, somebody who can comment on his transformation as a character. These cast as you all know is shockingly amazing. Rachael, who’s finished her role, 99% of it, perfect timing so she can spend time in the Academy Awards now. We’ve planned it like that. Is great and can bring again, a grounded reality to the character Strange in the beginning of the film and then also she encounters some odd and strange and other worldly things when he encounters her later in the movie, you believe it. You believe that her reactions to what she’s seeing. Like say, an astral form of somebody you used to know is an arrogant surgeon. Her reaction is funny but you also you buy it, you believe it.”
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So, what do you think? Would you like to see Doctor Strange bring Clea to the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Who do you think should play the sorceress? Let us know in the comments below!
