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The Bigger Reason Why Doctor Strange’s the Ancient One Isn’t Asian, According to Film Co-Writer


Marvel's Doctor Strange has been the fodder of criticism in recent days following the release of its first trailer. Tilda Swinton getting cast as the Ancient One, who in the comics is Asian and male, has been branded by many as a prime example of Hollywood's whitewashing.

Swinton has responded to the issue by claiming she wasn't asked to play an Asian character. Meanwhile, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige defended the decision and said it is in fact progressive since they were diversifying the film.

Apparently, there's another, bigger reason behind the casting decision. According to Doctor Strange co-writer C. Robert Cargill, casting Swinton was the best they could do because there was no other way to make everyone happy – culturally and politically.

Cargill sat down with Double Toasted and he was asked regarding the "whitewashing" of the role. The writer said that the situation is totally unwinnable and any decision is problematic, adding that even casting a Tibetan isn't an option as well due to the fact that the region is "in a very weird political place."

He said:

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 bullshit 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 fuck you're talking about.

Check out Cargill's full comments below starting at the 17:54 mark:

It makes sense that Marvel wouldn't want to upset either China or Tibet in their decision. China is currently one of the most significant nations in the box office spectrum. It would cost the film a great deal if they were to cast a Tibetan actor. If they did cast a Chinese character, then it would be problematic to the eyes of the rest of the world as it would be an endorsement of China's control over Tibet. Casting a woman was the best possible decision they could make.

Read: Why Tilda Swinton is Bald in Doctor Strange

Read: How The MCU Will Be "Distinctively Different" After Infinity War

Read: Tom Hiddleston Wants to See Loki and Doctor Strange Facing Off In MCU

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