'Doctor Strange' Casting Update: Marvel May Have Found Its 'Ancient One'

Tilda Swinton is reportedly in talks for the role of the Ancient One in Scott Derrickson’s film “Doctor Strange.” She will join Benedict Cumberbatch who will play the titular role of Doctor Stephen Strange.

In the “Doctor Strange” comics the Ancient One is portrayed by a male character. However, according to the Hollywood Reporter, Marvel had rethought the casting and instead decided to give the role to a woman. “If a deal makes, Swinton will play the Ancient One,” the site said. “Doctor Strange” would reportedly be Tilda Swinton’s introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

According to Comic Book Movie, a few male actors were previously considered for the role of Sorcerer Supreme. Morgan Freeman (“The Dark Knight Rises”), Bill Nighy (“Underworld: Rise of the Lycans”) and Ken Watanabe (“The Last Samurai”) were reported to have been Marvel Studios’ choices.

The Ancient One became Doctor Strange’s mentor after the latter travels to the Himalayas following a terrible car accident that left him badly injured and unable to perform his surgical profession. Doctor Stephen Strange decided to pursue the Ancient One after learning that he has the ability to heal him. Instead, Doctor Strange became the Sorcerer Supreme after he learned the ways of magic under the Tibetan mystic’s tutelage.

Tilda Swinton has had numerous films in her resume. She will next appear in the Judd Apatow comedy “Trainwreck” with Amy Schumer. The actress has a very versatile skill in acting, enough to have won her an Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in the 2007 film “Michael Clayton.”

She recently also appeared in the Wes Anderson comedy “The Grand Budapest Hotel” opposite Ralph Fiennes. Tilda Swinton portrayed the role of the murder victim Madame D. She previously appeared in another Wes Anderson film called “Moonrise Kingdom.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Tilda Swinton also gave a “show stopping performance as a brutally poised but unbalanced villainess” “Snowpiercer.” The Korean produced sci-fi film also starred “Captain America” actor Chris Evans.

Portraying a male character such as the Ancient One in “Doctor Strange” would not be the first for Tilda Swinton. She once played the role of Angel Gabriel in the 2005 adaptation of DC’s “Constantine” opposite Keanu Reeves.

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