Fans around the world are just a few weeks away from getting to see Doctor Strange in theaters. There are plenty of reasons to be excited for the film, with many fans interested in the unique mind-bending visuals that have so far been teased. Outside of the visual nature of the film, Marvel Studios has assembled an incredibly talented cast to help ground their craziest film yet. Benedict Cumberbatch has become one of the most popular actors in the business in recent years and will be a big reason why people come out to see him in the leading role, but the supporting cast around him is also impressive.
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo, Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One, and Benedict Wong as Wong will all help Strange develop into the Sorcerer Supreme, while Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecilius will be trying to defeat him. The only non-magic person that appears to have a major role in the film is Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer. Palmer eventually takes the mantle of Night Nurse in the comics, but it appears that is not something that will happen, at least for now.
EW has recently revealed an interview with Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige where the status of McAdams' role was discussed. Unlike in the comics, Palmer will stick to just being a regular nurse where Strange used to be employed for this film at least. While she will not go by the name Night Nurse in Doctor Strange, the possibility is there for it to come down the road.
I will say that that story line does not play into the movie. It’s just as much fun for us as it is for the fans to speculate about that.
McAdams has not had a prominent showing in any of the marketing thus far, so she could have a smaller role than some fans may want. This is not to say that her role will be insignificant towards the plot, as it appears from the trailers that she encounters Strange at a few points throughout this story and his life. She will likely have a majority of her scenes early on in the film before Strange travels to Kamar-Taj and then once he returns back to Greenwich village.
Even though Palmer will not be called Night Nurse or serve that role in this film, having that role in a potential sequel or other MCU films would make sense. After all, these heroes suffer injuries on a regular basis and need somebody to take care of them. If they do not plan on giving her this title, then Marvel Studios should allow Rosario Dawson's Claire Temple to take the name for Netflix.
Doctor Strange opens November 4, 2016; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man: Homecoming – July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; Avengers: Infinity War – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel– March 8, 2019; Untitled Avengers – May 3, 2019; and as-yet-untitled Marvel movies on July 12, 2019, and on May 1, July 10, and November 6 in 2020.
Source: EW