‘Doctor Strange’ News: Tilda Swinton To Join Cast Of Newest Marvel Franchise?

Marvel has a history of getting well-respected veteran actors into their films. From actors like Hugo Weaving and Robert Redford, to Glenn Close and Natalie Portman, there is no shortage of talent in the Marvel acting pool. With all that in mind, it’s a given that one of their latest franchises, Doctor Strange, would continue that trend. Apart from starring the ever-popular Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, there are plenty of other roles that need filling in order to round out the cast.

This week, we have news via the Hollywood Reporter that Tilda Swinton (who won an Oscar for her role in 2008’s Michael Clayton) is in negotiations to play a character known as The Ancient One. The Ancient One, according to Collider, is Stephen Strange’s mentor who trains him to become the Sorcerer Supreme. This is quite the interesting piece for a couple of reasons. First is the fact that it’s Tilda Swinton, who has more proven her worth as an actor over the years. While she’s mostly made her living playing character roles in smaller films, many viewers may recognize her as the White Witch in 2005’s The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. As such, she does have experience in big franchise and tentpole films.

However, the most interesting part of the story is the fact that Swinton is taking on The Ancient One. This is a character that is normally portrayed as male in the Marvel comic book universe, so it’s a wonder what made the filmmakers decide to switch his sex. Regardless, this is only a win for audiences, as Swinton will undoubtedly bring a lot to the role. We’ll have to wait and see how this turns out, but fans have reason to be optimistic about this mild turn of events, as it proves how much Marvel is willing to think outside the parameters they’d previously set for themselves.

Doctor Strange tells the story of a cocky neurosurgeon who gets in a car accident and loses his most important asset: his hands. According to Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, Doctor Strange will open up a whole new world within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“In the Marvel Cinematic Universe version of the supernatural, that involves everything from quantum mechanics to string theory. The idea of this film is to open up a whole new corner of the cinematic universe. We want to enter, through Strange, the world of parallel dimensions.”

Doctor Strange is slated for a November, 2016, release date. Are you looking forward to Tilda Swinton’s potential portrayal of The Ancient One?

[Image Credits: The Huffington Post, Marvel, Screen Rant]