Dr. Strange - Benedict Cumberbatch Cast!

But, of course, Liam Neeson would be the real Ancient One . . .

 

I heard he was taken.

 

He woulda been a fantastic Dr. Strange.

 

Well, this is certainly different. Tilda Swinton for The Ancient One?

I just hope this doesn't turn out like the last time she was involved in the film version of a magic-using comic character!

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/tilda-swinton-talks-join-benedict-798348

 

Yep, she's definitely awesome. Swinton plus Cumby onscreen? Sounds good to me.

 

Yeah. OK. That's different. My inner fan boy is always going to want something closer to the source material, but I suppose this could work. As long as the movie doesn't go off the rails in any other way.

ETA: I admit, my first thought when I saw the headline that Tilda Swinton as up for a Dr, Strange role was that she would be perfect as Umar, mother of Clea and sister of Dormammu.

 

That...is a really good idea. I dig it.

 

Like with the Mandarin, the Ancient One in the comics is a bit of a stereotype, so this makes sense. As long as they don't do what they did to the Mandarin, though, in Iron Man III-turn him into comic relief.

 

Or androgynous...

 

How ancient is she supposed to be?

A Druid who pushed back against Roman occupation of Britain?

A witch who ignored the fires trying to burn her at the stake?

Red hair or grey?

 

I adore Tilda Swinton so I'm all for it.

 

Awesome news, I've never seen a performance by her that I didn't enjoy.

 

I did not expect this, but it is a great idea.

 

Its a very interesting choice, and one I think could work well. I'm very hyped for Doctor Strange, I think its going to be great.

 

I ran across a theory that suggests The Ancient One wouldn't have been from Tibet even if they had cast a male in the lead. And according to reports they had looked for some time for a male in the role before the rumors of Tilda surfaced yesterday. The theory on not being from Tibet=no China release.

China=$$$
China/Tibet relations rockier than the mountains it lies within

Some real world flavoring for this decision perhaps?
I do still wonder just how bad the males they tested must've been. Roles for Asian actors in Hollywood films in a strong support role are few so I'm kinda surprised that the groups crying out against white washing aren't out making noise. White male or white female...it's still a white person getting a role written as a minority role.

I guess there is still Wong.

 

She played the Angel Gabriel in Constantine and a character who changed gender in Orlando. I think she could well be doing a Linda Hunt (The Year of Living Dangerously) and play a male here.

 

Plus take current marvel properties as a whole - need to avoid too much orientism

Daredevil - White saviour chosen to save us all from Asian themed menace...

Iron Fist - white saviour (if they go white) chosen to save us all from Asian themed menace...

Dr. Strange White saviour chosen and trained by old asian gentlemen to save us all from meance...

 

Chiwetel Ejiofor has been cast as Baron Mordo.

 

Excellent actor.