Jessica Chastain Passed on Doctor Strange Role

By Trey Tobias Updated:
Jessica Chastain was almost Christine Palmer

Jessica Chastain has quickly become one of the most popular and sought after actresses in Hollywood, making appearances in numerous critically acclaimed films such as Interstellar, The Tree of Life, and Molly’s Game and earning herself two Academy Awards nominations for her performances in The Help and Zero Dark Thirty . Last year, Jessica Chastain even appeared in a Marvel property, portraying the villanous Vuk in Fox's X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Chastain almost made her way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Iron Man 3 as Maya Hansen, a role she had to decline due to scheduling conflicts . Now, after a recent interview with one of the screenwriters of 2016’s Doctor Strange , it has been confirmed that the acclaimed actress had another chance to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

NEWS

According to CinemaBlend , screenwriter C. Robert Cargill recently told the Junkfood Cinema podcast that Doctor Strange co-writer and director Scott Derrickson had approached Jessica Chastain for the role of Christine Palmer, Stephen Strange's medical colleague. The role would end up being played by Rachel McAdams. Detailing Chastain's reasons for turning down the part, Cargill says:

"And she's like, ‘Hey, look, this project sounds awesome, and I would love to do it. But I’m only going to get one shot at being in a Marvel film and becoming a Marvel character; and I trained in ballet, and I really want to wear a cape.’ And that was the coolest rejection ever. She wanted to be in a Marvel movie, but she wanted to be the superhero, not the badass doctor Night Nurse."

WHAT THIS MEANS

Jessica Chastain seems to have a strong desire to be in a Marvel Studios film and knows the significance of choosing the right role within the expansive unvierse. Even though Christine Palmer has more of an active supehero role in Marvel comics as Night Nurse, her presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe does not appear to be following in the path of her comic book counterpart. Rachel McAdams played a fairly major supporting role in Doctor Strange , yet she has not been reported to return in Doctor Stange in the Multiverse of Madness . If the role had gone to Chastain, that might have been her only brief appearance within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Jessica Chastain's decision to turn down the part of Christine Palmer now leaves her availble to take on a more promiment role in the MCU's exciting future. The actress's recent role as the main antagonist in X-Men: Dark Phoenix might have satisfied her desire to portray a more powerful character in a superhero film, but hopefully there is still a chance to see Jessica Chastain become a Marvel superhero.

- About The Author: Trey Tobias

MCU Writer