New concept art offers a sneak peek at Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum

The doctor is in

Every comic book character needs a base of operations to which they can retire after a hard day's superheroing. Batman has the Batcave, the Turtles have their sewer lair and Doctor Strange has the Sanctum Sanctorum. The latter of which can be seen below in a piece of new concept art released by Marvel.

Latin for 'Holy of Holies', the Sanctum Sanctorum debuted alongside the supremely sorcerous Doctor Strange in Strange Tales #110, released in July 1963. Located in New York's Greenwich Village - 177A Bleecker Street, to be exact - Strange's HQ is home to all manner of mystical trinkets and extra-dimensional oddities. As you can see, Strange's iconic circular window - a mainstay of the Sanctum since its initial appearance -  has made the transition from page to screen intact, its sinuous curves forming the Seal of Vishanti, a charm that protects Strange's abode from all manner of supernatural nasties.

Just in time for Halloween, Dr. Strange arrives in UK screens on October 28. Starring Sherlock star and part-time dragon Benedict Cumberbatch, the movie follows a supercilious surgeon whose hands are crippled in a freak car accident. His search for a cure leads him to The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), a mystical healer who may just be the key to his salvation. Standing in the good doctor's way will be Chiwetel Ejiofor, a rival student of the mystical arts, and Hannibal himself, Mads Mikkelsen, who plays the as-yet-unnamed villain of the piece.

Jessica Jones AKA teaser trailer

Most alarming

We've had a smattering of press photos that show Jessica Jones, as well as her rogues gallery, brooding on set, but now we're finally getting our first look at the superpowered P.I. in action. Well, sort of. This sub-minute clip is more teaser egg than full-blown trailer, featuring Jessica using her superpowers to do something many of us dream of every morning: silencing her alarm clock by crushing it to smithereens. Granted, it's not the most exciting footage in the world, but it does a good job of establishing the dysfunctional tone the series is aiming for.

For anyone not au fait with this latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jessica Jones is about a superhero that turns her back on the spandex-wearing crowd after contracting a severe case of PTSD. To make ends meet, she becomes a private investigator, using her powers to help New York's burgeoning meta-human population.

The series, which will feature the talents of David Tenant, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, and Carrie-Ann Moss, bows this November on Netflix. Fellow Defender, Daredevil gets another crack of the whip next year, which should also see the arrival of Luke Cage's solo series on the streaming service. Rumours are also swirling that Netflix is planning to adapt some more Marvel properties for the TV. Could we finally get to see Moon Knight and his many personalities tear up the small screen? Please, Khonsu, make it so.

Is Mads Mikkelsen getting ready to take on Doctor Strange?

The doctor is in

Although scheduling conflicts scuppered his chances of appearing in Thor: The Dark World as villainous elf Malekith, Mads Mikkelsen could be getting another crack at the Marvel universe. According, to Variety the former Hannibal Lector is in negotiations to star alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tilda Swinton in Doctor Strange.

Speculation has Mads' pegged as the villain of the piece, with many believing he may appear as Mephisto (Marvel's analog for the Devil) or flame-headed Master of the Mindless Ones, Dormammu. Doctor Strange has the Ancient One in his corner, so it'd make sense for Ejiofor's Baron Mordo to have an equally powerful being on his side, a role that either of these characters could potentially fill.

If Mads is cast as a villain, this will be the second time Benedict Cumberbatch has gone up against a member of the Mikkelsen family - fans of Sherlock will remember that the consulting detective did battle with Charles Magnussen, played by Mads' brother Lars, in the hit BBC series. Maybe Mads wants to settle the score?

Before that happens, we'll get to see Mads in action in Star Wars spinoff Rogue One, which is shooting right here in the UK as you read this.

Will Doctor Strange be Marvel's most visually inventive film to date?

Film's cinematographer calls it "Marvel's Fantasia"

The cinematic adaptation of Doctor Strange won't be released until 2016 but promotion for the movie is already gearing up. Marvel are keeping details on the film, not to mention its titular character, under wraps for now, but that hasn't stopped the movie's cinematographer from weighing in on the movie's visual side.

During a BAFTA Masterclass seminar in London, cinematographer Ben Davis talked a little about the movie's visual make-up, describing it as "not your typical Marvel action movie". According to Davis the film will have a grounding in the psychedelic and will look unlike anything Marvel fans have seen before.

He went on to liken it's impact to that of Fantasia, claiming the movie will be quite a departure for the studio and be unlike anything else Marvel have ever done. During the talk he mentioned vaunted surrealist M.C. Escher and talked a little some of the difficulties involved in shooting such trippy, esoteric imagery. Sounds like we're getting the full Jack Kirby experience.

Although Davis couldn't say much more, he did reveal that Doctor Strange would be a dark movie, one he thinks audiences will find really interesting.

It all sounds good to me - I'm especially glad we seem to be getting a movie that pays homage to the character's rich visual history.  The film, which directed by Scott Derrickson (Insidious) and stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) is due to hit our screens next November.

Source: 'Doctor Strange' set for "dark", "psychedelic" look

Is Marvel courting Rachel McAdams for a lead role in Dr. Strange?

The Spellbook

That's the rumour that's circulating around the web this morning, anyway. The actress, currently appearing on our screens in True Detective's troubled second season, has been linked to a role in the movie multiple times in the past.

Last we heard, Marvel was actively pursuing McAdams, hoping to get her to sign on the dotted line and appear alongside Benedict Cumberbatch as the female lead in Doctor Strange.

Nothing has been confirmed officially, but McAdams has since acknowledged the rumours, revealing that she has been in talks with Marvel. Speaking to the LA Times, McAdams said, "It's still super-early days, and I don't know where that's gonna go, if it's gonna go anywhere at all."

Only time will tell whether or not McAdam decides to enter the MCU, but if she does this will probably be the most heavyweight line-up of thesps seen in a Marvel movie to date. Although I still have reservations about director Scott Derrickson involvement, I'll confess that I'm eager to see what this cast, one that includes the talents of Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton and Chiwetel Ejiofor, can bring to the material.