The first trailer of the highly-anticipated Marvel flick Doctor Strange set the Nepali Twitterverse abuzz on the first day of the new calendar year. With the new sneak peak incorporating various scenes shot in the Kathmandu Valley, the Nepali Twitterati took to the social networking platform to express their excitement.  “Teaser of #DoctorStrange released... on Nepalese #NewYear2073  with scenes from Nepal,” wrote @thejun28th, adding, “Freaking awesome. I got Goosebumps.”

Another user, @pbr977, wrote, “Doctor Strange, can’t wait for this movie. Contains many scenes from Nepal in the trailer itself.” In November 2015, Hollywood actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Chietewel Ejiofor had arrived in Nepal for the shooting of Marvel Studio’s new superhero franchise Doctor Strange, which casts Cumberbach as a famed neurosurgeon who loses his surgery skills after a deadly car accident and discovers the world of magic and mystic arts on his quest to heal himself. That quest leads him to the Himalayas, but not before a stopover in Kathmandu. While in the Capital, the film crew was seen shooting at various places including Asan, Pashupatinath and Patan Durbar Square.

Nepal, which has been touted as an exotic location for both Bollywood and Hollywood movies, has over the years served as a backdrop for several blockbusters. Marvel’s Doctor Strange now follows the footsteps of movies such as the Eddie Murphy-starrer The Golden Child, Seven Years in Tibet with Brad Pitt, Little Buddha featuring Keanu Reeves, and Everest with Josh Brolin and Jake Gyllenhaal, which have brought Hollywood A-listers to the Capital.

If last November’s sightings of Benedict Cumberbatch in the city had grabbed headlines, the sneak preview featuring the Sherlock actor strolling in Pashupatinath and Swoyambhu, understandably, has his legions of Nepali fans brimming with excitement. “Finally our #Nepal ‘s scenery in the Marvel’s New Movie, Doctor Strange,” tweeted @horcruxes, “This is going to be good. #DoctorStrange.”    

Directed by Scott Derrickson, the film is scheduled to release in November. The movie also features actors Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams and Tilda Swinton, among others.