Just two weeks ago, Marvel unveiled thefirst trailerfor the highly-anticipatedDoctor Strange, which gave us our first full look at The Ancient One, played by Oscar-winning actressTilda Swinton. The footage, paired with the first look atScarlett JohanssoninGhost in the Shell, sparked a new “whitewashing” controversy, with several fans upset that both movies cast caucasian females for roles that, in the source materials for both movies, were ethnic characters. Last week,Tilda Swintonherself spoke out about thecasting controversy, revealing that she was never approached to play an Asian character, but now we have a new perspective from one ofDoctor Strange’s writers.
C. Robert Cargill, who co-wrote the script with his longtime collaborator andDoctor StrangedirectorScott DerricksonandJon Spaihts, recently appeared on theYoutubepodcast Double Toasted, where he shared his thoughts about the casting controversy. The writer compared this casting to the unwinnableStar Trektest known as the Kobayashi Maru, teasing that every possible outcome would be dismissed by certain fans, while adding that the casting decision was made to avoid upsetting the all-important Chinese market. Here’s what the writer had to say below.
“The thing about theAncient Oneis it is Marvel’s Kobayashi Maru. There is no other character in Marvel history that is such a cultural landmine, that is absolutely unwinnable. I’ve been reading a bunch of people talking about it and the really frustrating thing about it this week is that most of the people who have thoughts on it haven’t thought it all the way through and they go, ‘Why didn’t they just do this?’ And it’s like, I could tell you why. I could tell you why every single decision that involves the Ancient One is a bad one, and just like the Kobayashi Maru, it all comes down on which way you’re willing to lose. The Ancient One was a racist stereotype who comes from a region of the world that is in a very weird political place. He originates from Tibet, so if you acknowledge that Tibet is a place and that he’s Tibetan, you risk alienating one billion people who think that that’s bullst and risk the Chinese government going, ‘Hey, you know one of the biggest film-watching countries in the world? We’re not going to show your movie because you decided to get political.’ If we decide to go the other way and cater to China in particular and have him be in Tibet… if you think it’s a good idea to cast a Chinese actress as a Tibetan character, you are out of your damn fool mind and have no idea what the fk you’re talking about.”
Doctor Strangetells the story of Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), an acclaimed neurosurgeon who uncovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions after a near-fatal car accident. The film will show audiences corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe never before explored, thanks to directorScott Derrickson, based on the comic book character created byStan LeeandSteve Ditko.Doctor Strangeis set for release on November 4, going up against Warner Bros.‘Bastardsand 20th Century Fox’sTrolls.
TheDoctor Strangesupporting cast is rounded out byChiwetel Ejiofor,Rachel McAdams,Michael Stuhlbarg,Amy Landecker,Scott AdkinsandMads Mikkelsen.Marvelstill hasn’t revealed which charactersAmy Landecker,Scott Adkins,Mads MikkelsenandRachel McAdamsare playing just yet, but there are rumors thatRachel McAdamsis playing theNight Nurse.Chiwetel Ejioforportraying Baron Mordo andMichael Stuhlbargplaying Nicodemus West. Take a look atC. Robert Cargill’s video interview below, with the Ancient One talk coming at the 17:54 mark.
