Joaquin Phoenix will not play Doctor Strange

This casting had pretty much been confirmed, but we now have news that Joaquin Phoenix has left Doctor Strange after negotiations with Marvel fell through.

The Oscar-nominee failed to come to an agreement with the studio after three months of negotiations. Now Marvel Studios is searching for a new lead actor with director Scott Derrickson. New rumors are circulating around Ethan Hawke, but that's just speculated because he worked with Derrickson on Sinister in 2012. Previously rumored actors included Jared Leto and Johnny Depp.
I am personally disappointed because I really like Phoenix and thought he would bring a lot to the MCU, but I guess that was too much to ask. 

Joaquin Phoenix rumored for Doctor Strange

Another bit of Marvel news that hit today is regarding the upcoming adaptation of Doctor Strange. Actors such as Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Jared Leto have been rumored for the part, but the latest bit of news is claiming that Joaquin Phoenix is in negotiations for the role.

You might recognize Phoenix from films such as Her, The Master, Walk the Line, and Gladiator. He was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line back in 2006 and also received nominations for The Master and Gladiator.
I personally think this would be a fantastic choice. Phoenix is a real force on screen and I would be more than happy to have him join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I think he could bring a lot to the character.

Sinister 2 to hit theaters in 2015

Focus Features has provided us with a release date of August 21, 2015 for the sequel to the 2012 horror film, Sinister. Director Scott Derrickson will not be returning to direct, but he co-wrote the script and will produce alongside Jason Blum. Cirian Foy has been hired to direct the sequel.
Blumhouse is co-financing with Focus Features and it is expected this will be another micro budget horror project similar to Insidious and The Purge. However, we saw budgets increase for both sequels so it is possible that Sinister 2 will be a bigger production this time around. 

Despite a bad villain name and the fact that it looked like a member of Slipknot, I was surprised by Sinister and wound up really liking it. I don't know where they will go with a sequel, but if it carries the same properties as the first one I think it will be just fine.

More actors rumored for Doctor Strange

So far we have Jared Leto, Johnny Depp, and Viggo Mortensen on the rumored shortlist for the role of Doctor Strange. Now there are two new additions that have surfaced.

Apparently Marvel has added Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch to the shortlist of potential actors for this role. Both of these guys are no stranger to the sci-fi world. Hardy played Bane in The Dark Knight Rises and Eames in Inception. Cumberbatch was Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness and is also the voice of Smaug in The Hobbit.
Now, because of these two guys' fairly recent popularity they definitely have busy schedules and a very high paycheck. Due to their schedules it is likely that neither of these guys could clear their schedules for enough movies as this role would require.

I don't think we will have to wait too much longer to learn who will be leading Doctor Strange seeing that a director has already been confirmed, but the rumors just keep coming. Out of the names released so far I think Jared Leto is on the top of the list for me.

Jared Leto rumored to play Doctor Strange

Add another actor to the rumor pit!

Recent Oscar winner Jared Leto is apparently being considered for the role of Doctor Strange in the upcoming movie to be directed by Scott Derrickson. If you are unfamiliar, this character has his hands mangled in an accident and begins learning mystical art to heal his injuries. He eventually becomes a Sorcerer Supreme to protect our world from magical threats. That is why rumors initially circulated that he would have a cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy and/or The Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Back to the point, Jared Leto would be a very interesting choice for this role. Stephen Strange is often compared to Tony Stark when it comes to arrogance and I don't really think Leto has that kind of self absorption in him. However, he is by no means a bad actor. He won an Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club that was well deserved and he delivered rather good performances in Panic Room, Requiem for a Dream, and Mr. Nobody as well as a nice support in American Psycho.
He has also been known to really submerge himself in his roles (similar to the so-called Heath Ledger effect). He starved himself down 28lbs for the role of Harry Goldfarb in Requiem for a Dream, he gained 62lbs for the role of Mark David Chapman in Chapter 27, and he dropped 30lbs and shaved his eyebrows for the role of Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club. 

However, with Leto kind of disappearing from Hollywood since his Oscar win and now focusing on 30 Seconds to Mars there is a possibility that he won't accept this if it is offered. It is no secret that committing to Marvel takes up a lot of time and most likely involves multiple movies and a long contract. So far in his career Leto hasn't appeared in one sequel or continuation of a film he already starred in. Truth be told his filmography only contains 22 films over the span of 19 years.
But even with all that, I don't think I would be upset if Leto was cast. I like him and I don't think I have ever been disappointed with anything I have seen him in. Just prepare to probably have 30 Seconds to Mars playing during the credits.

Scott Derrickson to direct Doctor Strange

Marvel pretty much just confirmed a Doctor Strange movie as director Scott Derrickson is in negotiations to direct the film.

Derrickson's filmography includes The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister, and the new release Deliver Us From Evil. Seeing this filmography it is a bit of a surprising choice. Not to mention the studio seems to be iffy on wildcards (example being Edgar Wright's departure from Ant-Man).
There is no one currently set for the lead role but rumors have previously swirled around Viggo Mortensen and Johnny Depp. No details about a potential release date have been revealed, either.