The U.K.’s Pinewood Shepperton is set to strengthen its growing superhero credentials following reports that Marvel’s upcoming project Doctor Strange will be shooting at its U.K. facilities.
While no official announcement has been made yet, a source told The Hollywood Reporter that an agreement was in the works. Pinewood Shepperton declined to comment, and Marvel’s parent company Disney has yet to respond to THR’s request for comment.
Telling the story of a neurosurgeon who becomes Earth-protector Sorcerer Supreme following a terrible accident, Doctor Strange first appeared in the Marvel Universe more than 50 years ago but has yet to make it to the big screen, despite several attempts. His cinematic debut will be directed by Scott Derrickson from a script by Jon Spaihts. It is due to join the untitled third Captain America to complete Marvel’s slate for 2016, with Joaquin Phoenix in talks to star.
The addition of Doctor Strange to Pinewood’s roster would further bolster its ties with Marvel and parent company Disney. The studios recently welcomed Avengers: Age of Ultron, which wrapped last month, while fellow Marvel titles Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: The Dark World, X-Men: First Class and Captain America: The First Avenger all filmed there. Fellow Disney titles Alice in Wonderland 2 and — arguably its most high-profile project — Star Wars: Episode VII currently are shooting.
The 24th installment of Pinewood’s most famous franchise, James Bond, is reportedly due to start production in the studios later this year, although nothing yet has been announced.
