Originally published April 22, 2016. Updated November 29, 2022.
Last week, Hollywood was once again accused of “whitewashing” with the release of the first image of Scarlett Johansson in the live-action Ghost in the Shell movie, but that isn’t the only movie which has come under fire lately for culturally reappropriating a character traditionally depicted as Asian.
Marvel’s Doctor Strange features a bald Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One, mentor to Benedict Cumerbatch’s Dr. Stephen Strange, and a Tibetan-born male character in the Marvel comic book universe. Despite Marvel receiving praise for casting a female, the studio has come in for some criticism due to this being a white female, and Swinton has addressed the controversy during a screening of her new film A Bigger Splash.
“Well, it’s not actually an Asian character — that’s what I need to tell you about it,” said Swinton (via THR). “I wasn’t asked to play an Asian character, you can be very well assured of that. You just have to wait and see, because it’s not an Asian character.”
SEE ALSO: What Marvel’s Doctor Strange trailer DIDN’T show you – comparing last year’s D23 Concept Art presentation with the film’s first teaser
How do you feel about Swinton’s casting as The Ancient One? Are you looking forward to her portrayal, or would you rather have seen an Asian actor in the role? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
“Doctor Strange follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.”
Doctor Strange is set for release on October 28th in the UK and November 4th in the US, with Scott Derrickson (Sinister) with a cast that includes Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) as Stephen Strange, Tilda Swinton (Snowpiercer) as The Ancient One, Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) as Baron Mordo, Benedict Wong (The Martian) as Wong and Rachel McAdams (True Detective) and Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) in as-yet-unconfirmed roles.
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