Marvel Studios’ President of Production Kevin Feige recently announced that the studio is hoping to release two films per year for the foreseeable future, with one of the two films featuring a new character from the vast Marvel universe. Rumors have been spreading that Doctor Strange will be one of the superheroes to get his own film in Marvel’s third phase of film development with a July 2016 release, and now Joaquin Phoenix is reportedly in talks with the studio to play the Sorcerer Supreme.

Doctor Steven Strange made his first appearance during the 1960’s silver age of Marvel comics, and proceeded to act as Earth’s primary defense against magical and mystical threats. Marvel has confirmed that a Defenders film will take place during phase three, and as Doctor Strange was one of that superhero group’s founding members, a feature film is definitely likely. The character has successfully made appearances in video games, and has had his own TV show and animated film.

Feige has often discussed his fondness for the Master of Dark Magic and his potential to bring something new to the Marvel cinematic universe.

“You don’t get into it in Harry Potter, but if a scientist went to Hogwarts, he’d find out how some of that stuff is happening! We’re not going to spend a lot of time on that, but there will be some of that. And particularly for a character like Strange, who goes from a man of science to a man of faith and who traverses both worlds. And sometimes there won’t be an answer! Sometimes he’ll want an answer – ‘How is this happening?!’ – and nothing.”

Deadline announced Friday that Marvel’s ideal Doctor Strange is the Her star, Phoenix. The Oscar nominee’s potential involvement with the film will likely disappoint fans of Benedict Cumberbatch, as the Sherlock leading man was previously rumored to be in contention for Doctor Strange‘s titular role.

Sinister’s Scott Derrickson is set to direct the film. Feige assured Empire that Derrickson’s reputation for directing horror films doesn’t mean Doctor Strange will fit within that genre.

“It means he is a talented filmmaker who we think could add something unique and very fresh to the particular franchise. But there could be scary moments. There are scary moments in all our movies! There are some scary people that Strange has to deal with, I will say.”