Matthew McConaughey among "Dr. Strange" candidates

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Dr. Strange" casting rumors heat up again after Joaquin Phoenix dropped out of negotiations to portray the Sorcerer Supreme. Ewan McGregor, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Matthew McConaughey are reportedly among the candidates to headline the pic, AceShowbiz said.

Badass Digest gets a scoop that McGregor is "prepping for the role - doing the usual research actors do when looking at taking on an adaptation or existing character." Coincidentally, the actor was once linked to "Ant-Man" which now taps duo Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas.

According to Variety, McGregor is just one of several names in "a shortlist of actors new and old to the Doctor Strange rumor mill" eyed by Marvel to play Stephen Strange. He is joined in the mix by Gyllenhaal, McConaughey, Oscar Isaac, Jared Leto and Ethan Hawke.

While McGregor is "expected to meet for the role," Leto is allegedly "aggressively pursuing" the coveted role. Rumor has it, Gyllenhaal has also shown his interest to get involved in a superhero movie after starring in dark, brooding films like "Prisoners" and "Nightcrawler".

Despite McConaughey's busy schedule, Marvel is reportedly confident to get the in-demand actor to meet for discussions. Top heads at Marvel want a star for the part, and they believe they can get anyone in the room after they managed to get Phoenix's attention.

"Dr. Strange" is slated for July 8, 2016 release in the U.S. Marvel's head Kevin Feige once said the film would be the "doorway" to enter the supernatural side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Scott Derrickson ("Sinister", "Deliver Us from Evil") will serve behind the lens.