UPDATE* Johnny Depp in Early Talks for Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'

 *UPDATE* Variety has confirmed that Johnny Depp is in very early talks to star in Marvel's Doctor Strange, which is expected to be an integral part of their Phase Three line-up. *

And the hits just keep on coming over at Marvel Studios. Already having lured the likes of Robert Redford, Michael Douglas, Glen Close, Paul Rudd, and John C. Reilly into their superhero world, they haven't stopped shooting for the moon. In fact, if the latest rumor is true they could be on the verge of bringing in one of today's biggest stars in Johnny Depp.

According to Latino Review, Depp has met with Marvel about the lead in Doctor Strange. There isn't much more to the report than that, except to note that if Depp does sign on it would mean some overhauling of the script is in order. Joseph Gordon-Levitt had been mentioned for the part some months ago, before he ended up taking the Sandman gig, and at the time Doctor Stephen Strange was envisioned as a much younger man. That would need to change if the 50-year-old Depp comes aboard. He is closer in age to the comic book version of the character, who is known as the "Master of the Mystic Arts" and Marvel's "Sorcerer Supreme".

Depp is obviously familiar with Disney through Pirates of the Caribbean and...*ahem*...The Lone Ranger, but that close association could also be a problem. Alice in Wonderland 2 isn't that far away as its due to open in 2016, and there's always Pirates of the Caribbean 5 which is in a holding pattern. How Depp could fit in two huge flicks as those with a possible franchise in Doctor Strange is anybody's guess, but it would be interesting to see if Disney shifts things around to accommodate him.

Personally, I don't want to see Depp adding his quirks to Doctor Strange and would prefer almost anybody else in the role. Fortunately this is all just rumor for now, and the film hasn't even been formally announced for Marvel's Phase Three.