Doctor Strange was a risky move for Marvel. Like Guardians of the Galaxy, it isn’t a comic that many people have heard of. Steeped in ancient history, Stephen Strange’s story is one that could’ve been too out-of-the-ordinary, too un-Marvel, too old of a tale for it to be good by Marvel standards.

Good news: Doctor Strange is worthy of a spot on the Marvel mantel, and is a welcomed addition to the MCU.

Hypable saw Doctor Strange ahead of the film’s Los Angeles press junket and found the comic book adaptation to be a delight. Stunning visual effects (that MAGIC!), clever action sequences (unlike any we’ve seen before!), and a refreshingly unique setting for a comic movie — all coupled with Marvel’s beloved sense of humor — come together for an unforgettable superhero film.

Worried that the movie, out this Friday, November 4, may not be for you? No need to fret. You’ll enjoy it just like you do any other super hero movie (Thanks in part to Adele. No, seriously.)

Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton shine in their lead roles as Doctor Strange and The Ancient One. Both actors are their usual excellent selves — Benedict carries much of his Sherlock persona into Strange with an added layer of depth, while Tilda delivers a calm yet powerful and intimidating presence.

Strange marks the 14th film for the MCU, and with this one in particular Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige was looking to push the boundaries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and attempt to keep surprising people. With the number of installments we’ve seen so far, that doesn’t sound easy, but when you incorporate other dimensions and a supernatural element, the story paves the way.

It’s this supernatural aspect of the film, Feige reminded the media at the junket, that will come in handy down the line. Whether that’s in terms of Avengers: Infinity War or beyond, he didn’t say, but it certainly speaks to the forethought Marvel has every time they agree to another project.

Director Scott Derrickson also weighed in on the tone they took for this movie, saying they came into the project wanting it to be just as weird and different as the original comics. Cumberbatch was a huge part of making the movie what it is, and once they realized he was the right one for the role, they moved forward immediately, even adjusting the schedule so he’d have time to fit the film in between his other projects.

It wasn’t just Cumberbatch’s enthusiasm that came across on stage, but the rest of the actors, Swinton (pictured above, beside Mordo actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, as they await Doctor Strange’s return from a test) and Mads Mikkelsen (below, in the role of Kaecilius) in particular, were absolutely psyched to become a part of the MCU. As in most cases for those that grew up with comics or have a passion for filmmaking, the ability to be a part of Doctor Strange is a dream come true.

Even a mega star like Cumberbatch couldn’t get away from the awesome realization that he is now the face of Doctor Strange for so many people. “I was giddy like a child on Halloween,” he says, speaking to the first time he saw himself in costume.

Derrickson even tells of a moment when they filmed Cumberbatch visiting the New York City branch of the comic book store Forbidden Planet in full Strange regalia. When in Rome, right?

But it’s not just the costumes that make this movie so special. Swinton speaks of working with JayFunk for weeks to make sure their hand choreography, called tutting, was absolutely perfect. Think of how difficult it must be to trust so completely in those directing you that it will looking amazing, knowing every minute articulation must be exact in order for the special effects to fit.

Cumberbatch was asked by a member of the press how similar Strange was to Sherlock Holmes. While the actor admits they share certain traits — they’re both clever, arrogant workaholics — Cumberbatch also says Strange is charming where Sherlock is not. The sorcerer has relationships, is liked by his coworkers, and is a man of the world in ways Holmes could never be.

That determination to be different was once again revisited during the panel. “That’s impossible,” Derrickson would often be told after he shared one of his ideas for the film. “Great, let’s do it,” he’d reply. It didn’t work out every time, but the creative team behind Strange also didn’t let anything hold them back. Only by letting their imaginations run wild could they develop shots which were previously unprecedented.

“The challenge was to try to make a movie that is as visually progressive by movie standards as the Ditko art was in the ’60s,” Derrickson relays, and that is exactly what they have done.

“Ego and fear are things to be lived beyond,” Swinton says, repeating a line from the movie, and it seems as though Strange certainly tried its hardest to do exactly that. Cumberbatch didn’t just look to Strange’s origin story and character, but looked beyond it and into the role the Sorcerer Supreme would play in the MCU.

That role, Feige reveals, will next continue in Avengers: Infinity War, and while that might not be brand new information, he also addresses a question about whether the Illuminati will play a part in any upcoming Strange films. The Marvel President wasn’t sure, but did specifically say some of those characters would also be showing up in the next Avengers film.

‘Doctor Strange’ is in theaters Friday, November 4

Additional reporting by Karen Rought.