Filming is officially underway on Marvel Studios’ non-sequel entry for 2016, Doctor Strange, and following yesterday’s first set photos debut, a few new shots of star Benedict Cumberbatch sporting a beard and trekking around Nepal have landed online. Production is kicking off in Nepal before heading to London to do soundstage work, and it certainly looks as though this is the point in the story where the titular surgeon sets out to find “The Ancient One” (played by Tilda Swinton) in an effort to regain the use of his hands (aka “the money makers”), which he lost in a car accident. When he comes across The Ancient One, however, he not only regains the use of his hands, he becomes trained in the art of magic.

Yes, while the Thor films delve pretty heavily into fantasy and Guardians of the Galaxy is unabashed sci-fi, Doctor Strange marks the studio’s first foray into magical territory, so the film is a fascinating one to be sure. You can see director Scott Derrickson (Sinister) on set with Cumberbatch in one of these photos, and I’m mighty curious to see how the Exorcism of Emily Rose helmer fares in his big Marvel debut. He’s proven a solid handle on tone and atmosphere, so he actually seems like a solid choice to bring Marvel into the age of magic.

If anything, Derrickson has assembled quite possibly Marvel’s most impressive cast to date. In addition to Cumberbatch and Swinton, there’s Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkselsen, and Michael Stuhlbarg.

Check out the set photos below, via various Twitter accounts. The film is slated for release on November 4, 2016 so don’t expect any official footage for quite some time.

Its a fab pic & defo Cumberbatch doctor strange filming in new road #Kathmandu #nepal, recognised everywhere he goes pic.twitter.com/kenXTaRHOc — Anything Cumberbatch (@Anythingbatch) November 5, 2015

Awww the crew have lil Doctor Strange hats! #spoilers pic.twitter.com/Jwl0sPfbzP — Cumberbuddy (@Cumberbuddy) November 5, 2015

CUMBERBATCH shooting DOCTOR STRANGE in NEPAL Via) @vinaymelbourne pic.twitter.com/BaUVC9JlEp — SuperBro Movie News! (@SuperBroMovies) November 5, 2015

For more on Doctor Strange, check out some of our recent coverage provided at the links below: