Tilda Swinton Cast as The Ancient One

[marcvader]

Its mystic arts not martial art by the way so whatever race they decide to use it wouldn't be a cliche as it's not something we see alot of in cinema.

 

[InternetPeople]

Its mystic arts not martial art by the way so whatever race they decide to use it wouldn't be a cliche as it's not something we see alot of in cinema.

You're right. My mistake. However. martial arts and mystic arts occupy similar space in cinema so, whatever?

 

[Suzanne78]

We'll get an Asian for Wong.

I really hope so!

*prayer circle for Lucy Liu/John Cho in full effect*

 

[R_Hythlodeus]

I doubt that rumor

 

[RockSP]

Oh goodness, keep Bill Nighy away from this

And Freeman. Can't see a reason not to cast an Asian guy. It's not like they've had many so far...only one I can think of is that Howling Commando in Cap 1. I mean there's nothing wrong with having two Asian guys in the movie, lol (assuming Wong will be in there at all).

 

[Mike Murdock]

Having a diverse group including the Ancient One would reduce the "white savior" aspect of Dr. Strange. I like the idea that they don't have a problem with recruiting people outside of Tibet (although, I suspect Mordo is also outside of Tibet). If Wong is Asian (which he damn well should be with that name) it'll matter less.

However, if they cast a non-asian actor, I think it'd be a lot smarter to cast Morgan Freeman than a white guy.

 

[Suzanne78]

Having a diverse group including the Ancient One would reduce the "white savior" aspect of Dr. Strange. I like the idea that they don't have a problem with recruiting people outside of Tibet (although, I suspect Mordo is also outside of Tibet). If Wong is Asian (which he damn well should be with that name) it'll matter less.

However, if they cast a non-asian actor, I think it'd be a lot smarter to cast Morgan Freeman than a white guy.

You summed up in a nutshell why I don't have as big a problem with Freeman being considered.

Still hoping they'll add more Asian actors to the list. I'm really disappointed that there aren't more Asian actors they're considering (that we know of).

 

[Loki882]

Marvel likes to avoid perceived stereotypes when it comes to their movie characters (The Mandarin in IM 3 being the most prominent, but not the only, example of this). Perhaps they're hedging their bets here as well. I can see how TAO could come across as rather stereotypical if a writer isn't careful. And as others have said the fact that Stephen Strange, a White guy, is ultimately the one that's deemed "worthy" present potential problems in and of itself. Quite simply, as interesting as Strange's origins are, there are some dated and potentially problematic elements that will need to be modified/worked around.

 

[RockSP]

I've changed my mind. Since Pacino wants to be a marvel character they should cast him as the Ancient One.

"Strange, you're the new Sorcerer Supreme...HOO-HAH!!!"

"Wow, look at Clea..."

 

[Suzanne78]

Marvel likes to avoid perceived stereotypes when it comes to their movie characters (The Mandarin in IM 3 being the most prominent, but not the only, example of this). Perhaps they're hedging their bets here as well. I can see how TAO could come across as rather stereotypical if a writer isn't careful. And as others have said the fact that Stephen Strange, a White guy, is ultimately the one that's deemed "worthy" present potential problems in and of itself. Quite simply, as interesting as Strange's origins are, there are some dated and potentially problematic elements that will need to be modified/worked around.

That's another creative way of thinking about it.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I really hope so!

*prayer circle for Lucy Liu/John Cho in full effect*

My top choices are Daniel Dae Kim and Ian Anthony Dale, although Dale is my top choice to play Shang Chi.

I like John Cho, but Cho would have to get into serious shape (like Chris Pratt) to play Wong.

 

[MbJ]

Marvel likes to avoid perceived stereotypes when it comes to their movie characters (The Mandarin in IM 3 being the most prominent, but not the only, example of this). Perhaps they're hedging their bets here as well. I can see how TAO could come across as rather stereotypical if a writer isn't careful. And as others have said the fact that Stephen Strange, a White guy, is ultimately the one that's deemed "worthy" present potential problems in and of itself. Quite simply, as interesting as Strange's origins are, there are some dated and potentially problematic elements that will need to be modified/worked around.

The difference was Mandarin was more of an offensive stereotype that would have likely gotten the movie banned in China. Chinese film censors would not have taken kindly to a stereotypical Chinese warlord who gets beaten up by the cool white American.

The Ancient One is a good guy and an important part of Strange's origin. I can't see what the harm in making him Asian is if you make sure to tone down the more cliche aspects.

 

[Loki882]

That's what you see, but that might not be what Marvel sees. And given how much the Chinese government tends to throw hissy fits over these sorts of things, they might just not want to risk it at all.

 

[Silvermoth]

My top choices are Daniel Dae Kim and Ian Anthony Dale, although Dale is my top choice to play Shang Chi.

I like John Cho, but Cho would have to get into serious shape (like Chris Pratt) to play Wong.

Would he though? Wong is not always portrayed as particulary cut

Having a diverse group including the Ancient One would reduce the "white savior" aspect of Dr. Strange. I like the idea that they don't have a problem with recruiting people outside of Tibet (although, I suspect Mordo is also outside of Tibet). If Wong is Asian (which he damn well should be with that name) it'll matter less.

However, if they cast a non-asian actor, I think it'd be a lot smarter to cast Morgan Freeman than a white guy.

Yeah whitewashing would be a pr disaster.

To be honest, if they're having the ancient one in this movie they could probably do a bit better than always getting ken watanabe for roles. Plus he's hardly ancient

 

[Suzanne78]

Would he though? Wong is not always portrayed as particulary cut



Yeah whitewashing would be a pr disaster.

To be honest, if they're having the ancient one in this movie they could probably do a bit better than always getting ken watanabe for roles. Plus he's hardly ancient

All they have to do is get his wardrobe & makeup from BATMAN BEGINS:

Voila! Instant TAO reached.

 

[Dasher10]

I really don't care what color he is if Morgan Freeman is rumored. What matters is that he's an old wizard who's traveled the world learning the occult arts from as many cultures as possible and now hides in the mountains of Tibet.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Nighy or Watanabe please.

 

[Mike Murdock]

How about George Takei?

 

[R_Hythlodeus]

Ken Watanabe is probably the most unispired choice I could think of

 

[Owl]

LR is the kind of media news site that should be taken with a grain of salt. Yet, if it is true, no one outside of Morgan Freeman seems to be an exciting or even likable choice for the role of the ancient one.

 

[Mike Murdock]

Ken Watanabe is probably the most unispired choice I could think of

Yeah, he doesn't really fit for me. He seems very much in the vein of "couldn't think of anyone else." This is unlike people criticizing Cumberbatch for being "in the box" or some BS like that. He just doesn't seem like the character, in addition to being a fairly boring choice.

 

[chamber-music]

I wouldn't mind Om Puri as the ancient one
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om_Puri

Or they should just get James Hong who is still acting at 85. Hong plat David Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China, Chew in Blade Runner and was in multiple episodes of The Big Bang Theory.

 

[Mike Murdock]

I was just thinking "hey, why not an Indian actor." I don't know who Om Puri is (they need a three second clip of Korath just saying "who" on youtube), but he could work. Although I picture the Ancient One as even more frail than that.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Om Puri isn't well known in the US, but he's done a lot of acclaimed work in the UK. His biggest crossover success was probably 2000's East is East.

I don't mind an Indian actor as The Ancient One in theory, but if they were going to go that route, why not shoot higher and go for a legend of Indian cinema like Amitabh Bachchan to maybe try and attract some of the Indian moviegoing audience. Though Marvel's already-established desire to play to their growing audience in China may be reason enough for them to stick with a Chinese actor for the role.

 

[Yellow Cyclone]

cary tagawa

shang tsung teaching strange?