As reported by The Wrap, actress Rachel McAdams has been officially cast as the female lead in Marvel's "Doctor Strange," where she will star opposite Benedict Cumberbatch. However, McAdams' role has not been revealed, and a number of speculations have arisen as to whom she may be portraying in the film.
According to a report from Screen Rant, it is very likely that McAdams will be portraying the character Clea. Clea was introduced to the "Doctor Strange" comics in 1964. She is mostly renowned for being both a pupil and a long-time romantic interest for the titular doctor.
Clea is also the niece of the demonic villain known as Dormammu. It is speculated at this time that Dormammu is the role that Mads Mikkelsen will play if he is indeed being courted by Marvel Studios. If Mikkelsen is playing Dormammu, the chances of McAdams playing Clea may increase since it would make for a structurally strong narrative.
If McAdams is not portraying Clea, Screen Rant says she may be portraying the sorceress known as Morgana Blessing. Morgana has been in the comics since 1981 and is also a love interest for Doctor Strange, although she has also been his foe at some point.
Morgana is also connected to the villain Baron Mordo, who will be played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Baron Mordo was once a pupil of the Ancient One, as was Doctor Strange, but over time became an underling for Dormammu.
According to MoviePilot, McAdams may also be playing Jennifer Kale, Mephista, or the goddess known as Oshtur. However, the chances of McAdams playing any of these three are relatively low compared to the likelihood of her portraying Morgana or Clea due to their narrative connections to Doctor Strange and his primary villains.
"Doctor Strange" opens on Nov. 4, 2016, a few months after the highly anticipated "Captain America: Civil War" and before "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."
