Jonathan Levine, Pixar's Mark Andrews on Shortlist to Direct 'Doctor Strange'

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has made it no secret that he wants Doctor Strange to be a part of Phase Three, and according to some reports it's already a done deal. Adding a heavy dose of credence to that story is the emergence of a new shortlist of directors that Marvel is seeking to direct the film, including a pair of writers to begin penning the Sorcerer Supreme's adventures.

According to THR, Marvel have set their sights on Mark Andrews, Jonathan Levine, Nikolaj Arcel and Dean Israelite as contenders. Along with that, Jon Aibel and Glenn Berger (Kung Fu Panda) have met to write the script, although producers may be looking for a director who can fill both roles, the same way Shane Black was writer/director on Iron Man 3.

The director shortlist is interesting, to say the least. Andrews has close ties to Disney, having recently directed Pixar's Brave. Arcel directed recent Oscar nominee A Royal Affair, while Israelite is set to make his feature debut on time travel film, Welcome to Yesterday. The most intriguing choice may be Levine, who has shown a propensity for blending genres with films like 50/50 and Warm Bodies.

It's beginning to look like Marvel is holding one of their open release date slots for Doctor Strange. Right now they have May 6th 2016,  July 8th 2016 and May 5th 2017 waiting to be filled. 

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'A Royal Affair' director Nikolaj Arcel to helm remake of Hitchcock's 'Rebecca'

Both the big and the small screen have become obsessed with Alfred Hitchcock of late, more so than ever before. Hitchcock and The Girl explored some of the darker aspects of the famed director's personal and professional life, while A&E's  Psycho prequel, Bates Motel, broke ratings records. Early last year we learned that Dreamworks was planning to remake Hitchcock's Oscar-winning thriller, Rebecca, and now they've found their guy to be at the helm.

Nikolaj Arcel, who last directed the Oscar-nominated period piece A Royal Affair, has been chosen to direct the film, which features a script by Eastern Promises writer Steven Knight. The original version starred Laurence Olivier as a rich widower who can't escape the memory of his dead wife, which continues to haunt the manor and his latest marriage.

It was one of Hitchcock's most accomplished works and the only Best Picture winner of his career. The film actually sticks faithfully to Daphne du Maurier's novel for the most part, with only a few small changes due to the Hollywood Production Code. Arcel is expected to do a rewrite on Knight's script, and apparently his hiring has a lot of actresses interested in joining the film.

Production on Rebecca won't begin until Arcel completes his adaptation of Don Winslow's best seller, The Power of the Dog. [Deadline]

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