As anticipation surged for Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange, one name consistently buzzed in conversations alongside Benedict Cumberbatch was Rachel McAdams. Her portrayal of Christine Palmer, a pivotal character in Doctor Strange’s life, promised to add depth and humanity to the mystical Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). For fans eager to delve deeper into the world of Doctor Strange and Rachel McAdams’ role, exclusive insights were unveiled during press junkets. This article revisits a candid interview with Rachel McAdams, shedding light on her experiences bringing Christine Palmer to life in Doctor Strange.
Joining the Marvel Universe: Rachel’s Excitement and the “Marvel Club”
For any actor, stepping into the MCU is a significant milestone. Rachel McAdams shared her elation about joining this coveted “Marvel club” and her initial conversations about the role of Christine Palmer. She recounted her meeting with director Scott Derrickson, emphasizing his deep passion for the project. “I met with Scott and he was just so incredibly passionate and you know a self-proclaimed comic geek. I think that’s who you want at the helm of something like this,” McAdams explained. Derrickson’s personal connection to the source material and Marvel’s renowned support system reassured her. “It was so personal for him. I just knew he was the right guy for it and that you know I’d be in great hands. And you know that Marvel would be so supportive as well. I was just excited at the possibilities.”
Reflecting on her time on set, Rachel McAdams lauded the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail that Marvel Studios is known for. “Working with Marvel on set was everything I had hoped for and more, really. I assumed I would be working with the crème de la crème – and I was. So it was just great to be in such great hands.” From costume design to set construction, the meticulous approach impressed her. “From costumes to everything was just so well done, so beautifully thought through and well-crafted. They didn’t even make me pretend that much with green screen. That’s how considerate they were.” This environment of excellence and support clearly enhanced her experience embodying Christine Palmer in Doctor Strange.
Becoming Dr. Palmer: Immersing Herself in the World of Surgery
Christine Palmer is not just any doctor; she’s a skilled surgeon, and to convincingly portray this role, Rachel McAdams undertook significant preparation. Despite admitting to being “funny when it comes to blood and guts,” McAdams drew on her upbringing with a nurse mother and immersed herself in medical research. “But my mom is a nurse, so I’d kind of grown up with, around medicine, which is probably why I became an actress instead.”
To authentically capture the mannerisms and expertise of a surgeon, McAdams shadowed real medical professionals. “But I did get to shadow some amazing brain surgeons, a female brain surgeon in Toronto, another surgeon in London.” This hands-on experience provided invaluable insights into the demanding world of neurosurgery. Furthermore, the production ensured accuracy by having a surgeon present on set daily. “We had a surgeon onset every day. He taught me to do sutures and I was practicing on raw turkey breasts. That was interesting. Oranges, that was a little more easier to take in my purse, so I could practice wherever I went.”
Beyond practical skills, McAdams also delved into the mindset of a surgeon through literature, citing the impactful book Do No Harm by Henry Marsh. “I read this really great book called Do No Harm by Henry Marsh who is a world-famous brain surgeon. I don’t know if anybody has read it but it was just a phenomenal book and really eye-opening when it comes to being your own advocate when it comes to your health.” While offered a thrilling ride in an Evac helicopter by one of the doctors, her fear of flying humorously intervened. “One of the doctors offered to take me up in the Evac helicopter for the weekend. So cool, right? But I’m terrified of flying. And I’d have a weak stomach. So I was like, I actually think for the sake of everyone I should decline this really generous offer. So I didn’t unfortunately get over my fear and do that.” This dedication to research and practical learning underscored her commitment to portraying Christine Palmer authentically.
Embodying Emotion: Christine Palmer’s Compassion and Connection with Strange
Christine Palmer is characterized by her emotional depth, nurturing nature, and passionate dedication – traits that Rachel McAdams skillfully brought to the forefront. She drew inspiration from her mother’s compassionate nature as a nurse to inform her portrayal. “I think having a mother as a nurse who’s a very kind, she’s so compassionate, and she really unfortunately would take her work home with her sometimes. I think Christine’s more that kind of character. So, I think I kind of grew up with that a little bit and have great admiration for people who do that for a living and who are real empaths. I suppose I drew on from my mom a bit.” This personal connection added layers to her performance, highlighting Christine’s empathy and care.
The dynamic between Christine Palmer and Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, is emotionally charged, and McAdams spoke about the intense scenes they shared. “Also Benedict is such an extraordinary actor that you just have to be present with him and it all kind of falls into place. I mean, we did a lot of crying together.” She recounted an especially demanding day on set. “We cried one day for eight hours straight, every single take. And I’ve never been able to do that before. I mean, you know it comes, it goes, it comes back again. But with him I mean he’s so emotionally available and present that I’d look at him and I’d start crying.” This intense emotional collaboration with Cumberbatch resulted in powerful and authentic scenes. “You know it was just like water works all day long. We both had these incredible headaches at the end of the day. And I was like, well we’re dehydrated you know. So yeah, I really have to give kudos to him for that.”
Comfort on Set: Scrubs and Practical Wardrobe Choices
In contrast to the elaborate costumes of Doctor Strange and other mystical characters, Christine Palmer’s wardrobe was decidedly practical: scrubs and street clothes. Rachel McAdams expressed her appreciation for this comfort on set. “I loved it. So comfortable, I got to wear orthopedic running shoes every day. And you know, high heels like, the older you get, the harder it is to wear them for very long. I was really grateful for that.” While acknowledging a touch of envy for the more visually striking attire, comfort won out. “I was a little jealous of the levitation cloak but I was happy to be comfortable.” This grounded costume choice aligned with Christine’s role as the pragmatic anchor in Stephen Strange’s extraordinary life.
From Judy Blume to Doctor Strange Comics: Comic Book Education
When asked about her familiarity with comic books prior to Doctor Strange, Rachel McAdams admitted her reading habits leaned more towards Judy Blume than Marvel comics growing up. “I hadn’t read the Dr. Strange comics growing up. I was kind of reading you know Judy Blume and stuff like that.” However, she made sure to educate herself about the source material once cast. “But I’ve since educated myself. And I think the Dr. Strange ones are so different from the other comics which is nice. I love the movies but I hadn’t read a lot of the comics.” This willingness to learn about the Doctor Strange comic universe demonstrated her dedication to understanding the character’s origins and context.
Behind-the-Scenes Fun: Conversations with a Dummy
The interview revealed a humorous behind-the-scenes anecdote involving a dummy of Benedict Cumberbatch used for scenes where he was suspended on wires. Rachel McAdams shared her amusing interactions with this lifelike prop. “There was a dummy of Benedict, because there were times when Benedict had to be on wires but there also needed to be his body on the table. The dummy was so lifelike that I would talk to it. I would squeeze his arm and be like, “are you okay?” “You know like, you haven’t said anything in a while.” “Are you hungry? Can I get you something?”” This playful interaction highlights the lighter moments amidst the intensity of filming and the realism of the props.
Rachel’s Secret Superpower: Invisibility and Interior Design
In a lighthearted segment, Rachel McAdams was asked what superpower she would choose if she could have one. Her answer revealed a quirky and relatable desire: invisibility, not for fighting crime, but for interior design exploration. “I don’t have any superpowers. I don’t. I just don’t. I would like to be invisible — because I’d love to go into people’s houses and see their interior decorating.” She elaborated on this fascination with a touch of humor. “Don’t you guys when you’re driving at night and can kind of see through the window and you think, “Oh, that looks so cozy in there. I wish I could like get a free pass.” Yeah, so that’s probably the one I’d pick. I’d be a total creeper.” This playful response showcased her down-to-earth personality and sense of humor.
Jump Scares and Startling Moments on Set
Adding to the behind-the-scenes fun, Rachel McAdams touched on the jump scares incorporated into Doctor Strange and her genuine reactions. Admitting to being a “total scaredy-cat in real life,” she revealed her authentic surprise was often captured on the first take. “You hope they get it on the first one because that is usually startling, the first time. And then you just kind of fake it the rest of the time. But they were very helpful — I was never quite sure where the sounds were coming from.” Her genuine reactions contributed to the realism of the scenes and provided some amusement on set.
Rachel McAdams’ portrayal of Christine Palmer in Doctor Strange resonated with audiences, adding a crucial human element to the fantastical narrative. Her dedication to the role, from shadowing surgeons to exploring the emotional depths of her character, shone through in her performance. As Doctor Strange captivated audiences in theaters on November 4th in IMAX 3D, Rachel McAdams’ Christine Palmer solidified her place as a beloved character within the MCU.
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