Tilda Swinton Cast as The Ancient One

[Chris B]

Its a change, but an intriguing one. I don't think the character is required to be Asian, so as long they get the essence of the character right, I think they'll be fine.

Honestly, I think Marvel is understandably worried about characters like, a comic-accurate Ancient One, coming off as racially insensitive. On a similar note, that is why I suspect that if and when they do the "real" Mandarin like that one-shot suggested that they wont cast an Asian actor.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Its a change, but an intriguing one. I don't think the character is required to be Asian, so as long they get the essence of the character right, I think they'll be fine.

Honestly, I think Marvel is understandably worried about characters like, a comic-accurate Ancient One, coming off as racially insensitive. On a similar note, that is why I suspect that if and when they do the "real" Mandarin like that one-shot suggested that they wont cast an Asian actor.

This is true.

 

[Loki882]

They they've been really careful about that so far. Tap-dancing around using The Mandarin and removing a lot of the more overt Nazi elements from Red Skull and HYDRA being the two most prominent examples.

 

[Steelsheen]

with all due respects to Dr Strange fans, but you'd be insane to reject Tilda Swinton on the basis that she's a white female.

its Tilda friggin Swinton. if she's interested in a comic book movie you dont ask why, you ask please sign here

 

[Silvermoth]

They they've been really careful about that so far. Tap-dancing around using The Mandarin and removing a lot of the more overt Nazi elements from Red Skull and HYDRA being the two most prominent examples.

That's very true. After all Alexander lukin was removed from the winter soldier story too despite playing a pretty big role. I think they try to remove anything that points a finger at any one country.

That said although the ancient one is a stereotype he's not a villain and China is is a huge market these days so I'm sure there's something else that can be done besides whitewashing.

I do love tilda Swinton though

 

[Loki882]

The Chinese are REALLY sensitive about this sort of thing, well the Chinese government at least. So I honestly have no idea how they might react to a character like TAO.

 

[Dr. Evil]

The Chinese are REALLY sensitive about this sort of thing, well the Chinese government at least. So I honestly have no idea how they might react to a character like TAO.

Well, if Tilda Swinton becomes TAO, I could see the origins changing to a Medieval sorceress

 

[Pink Ranger]

Well, if Tilda Swinton becomes TAO, I could see the origins changing to a Medieval sorceress

I'd like her to be even older than that. Like someone so old they transcend everything we know about culture and borders. Like she lived in Atlantis when it was above water, or lived in a city in Antarctica like the one from At The Mountains Of Madness.

 

[Taarna]

It better not be a woman.

 

[jonathancrane]

Swinton in a 'Strange film is brilliant casting, like when they cast the guy who played Mason Verger as a certain police officer.

 

[BarryAllen]

Its a change, but an intriguing one. I don't think the character is required to be Asian, so as long they get the essence of the character right, I think they'll be fine.

Honestly, I think Marvel is understandably worried about characters like, a comic-accurate Ancient One, coming off as racially insensitive. On a similar note, that is why I suspect that if and when they do the "real" Mandarin like that one-shot suggested that they wont cast an Asian actor.

I think the Ancient One HAS to be Asian because it reinforces Doctor Strange learning Eastern philosophy and becoming less arrogant and more zen.

Tilda Swanton would be better for Death.

 

[metaphysician]

Marvel's high wizardry really has very little to do with eastern philosophy or zen.

 

[SuperSAINT]

I know there's a whole can of worms that can be opened by changing the ethnicity and/or gender of a comic book character - But honestly, all I care about is whether I think the choice of actor is great or not.

In this case, I'm all for it.

 

[BarryAllen]

Marvel's high wizardry really has very little to do with eastern philosophy or zen.

I was talking more in line with Stephen Strange's character transformation.

 

[Superhero 101]

So is the Swinton casting official?

 

[Silvermoth]

Not yet. I think they've just had a bit of a chat with her

 

[BatsDC]

Gunn implied it was

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I'd like her to be even older than that. Like someone so old they transcend everything we know about culture and borders. Like she lived in Atlantis when it was above water, or lived in a city in Antarctica like the one from At The Mountains Of Madness.

 

[Jaspertian1105]

She is a great actress, but unless the whole Tibetan angle has been scrapped (which would be very regrettable for the character, i think its a huge part of its core) then i dont think she is the correct choice.

Nothing against her skills but if it has an Easter origin then it should be played by an asian actress. If not then i guess is ok but its a shame they would scrap that part of the mythos, its been the core of strange for all this years, but lets see how this plays out

 

[Eddie]

I've seen the argument made that the Tibetan angle may end up scrapped due to China. Tibet is apparently a sore subject in China, and most big blockbuster type films tend to try to draw that Chinese audience...

 

[Jaspertian1105]

I've seen the argument made that the Tibetan angle may end up scrapped due to China. Tibet is apparently a sore subject in China, and most big blockbuster type films tend to try to draw that Chinese audience...

You are joking right? that is the reason? as someone that is starting the practice of Buddhism i find that very very sad that Tibet is censored that way. Its like taking the death of batmans parents from the mythos, its a huge part of it for me

Im really sadden if thats the true reason for all of this, money. I like that the ancient one can be female but the race change its just a bit too much for my taste. Im sure there are many accomplished actresses that could fill the role, i know Tilda is great and they can say that they pick the best person for the role. But with that criteria why don't daniel day lewis play malcom X in a biopic? some characteristics i think are a fundamental core of the character.

I dont know, i need more info on the subject. Im still looking really forward to this, but the casting choices have been, no pun intended, strange so far

 

[Eddie]

I'm not saying that the Chinese feelings towards Tibet are the reason for the change, I'm just saying that's a theory I've heard floating around. Frankly, I think that would really suck. Hollywood is trying to cater to that particular market, though. Hell, look what Iron Man 3 did just to get more priority in that market. Literally unnecessary scenes were thrown in exclusively in China, and Marvel threw in China's biggest actress in a nothing role.

 

[Jaspertian1105]

I'm not saying that the Chinese feelings towards Tibet are the reason for the change, I'm just saying that's a theory I've heard floating around. Frankly, I think that would really suck. Hollywood is trying to cater to that particular market, though. Hell, look what Iron Man 3 did just to get more priority in that market. Literally unnecessary scenes were thrown in exclusively in China, and Marvel threw in China's biggest actress in a nothing role.

That is really sad, the state of the industry in that respect. Yeah i imagine is a rumor, but i would make sense in part. Marvel hasn't been racist so i dont see it from that angle. The Chinese market place makes more sense. Those IM3 scenes were just pathetic, really dragging yourself through the floor for a few extra bucks.

 

[Taarna]

Why mess with the built in fan base and history of the comics?

The Ancient one is very old. In his time, how many women born common achieved success at anything in Asia?

Cumberbatch has a powerful voice and screen presence. Casting his teacher demands someone on his level with decades of experience. Remember the Ancient one is very old. Not 50!

Star Wars is not making Yoda or Darth Vader a woman any time soon. If the Karate kid was re-made, Mr. Miyagi would be an asian man. But Marvel movies for whatever reasons have to mess with race, and gender.

Create new characters, but please not not mess with the established ones.

 

[metaphysician]

Why would the ability of common-born women to achieve public success circa 1000 AD have anything to do with their ability to achieve success in the mystical world? For that matter, where does it say the Ancient One was born common, or has to have been born common?