The Ancient One actress in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tilda Swinton, reflects on the controversy surrounding her character in the 2016 film Doctor Strange.
Tilda Swinton has spoken out about the renewed debate over her performance as The Ancient One in Doctor Strange.
The 60-year-old took on the part alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in the 2016 superhero feature, much to the chagrin of many. Tilda Swinton opened up about the part and how she learned from the criticism in a recent interview with Variety.
Watch: Marvel’s Kevin Feige Regrets Whitewashing Doctor Strange’s Ancient One
She shared,
I remember at the time having a question mark in my own mind and being attendant to the public response to the idea that a Scottish woman will be playing this character, and being aware that there was no resistance at all – there was widespread welcome – which shifted at a certain point, for very good reasons with which I had an enormous amount of sympathy.
Tilda noted that criticisms of the character’s “righteous” whitewashing escalated, and she agrees, stating that fans getting engaged adds to the story and to be acknowledged within the script, and that’s a really positive societal growth.
Recently, Marvel chief Kevin Feige admitted that he regrets hiring Tilda in the film and that he thought the studio was doing a nice thing by executing a blind casting for the character.
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Tilda did seek out Margaret Cho for more information after she was cast and came under fire – something she is now ashamed about.
I made a questionable decision to reach out to somebody in a certain way, which was naïve and clearly confusing because their misunderstanding came about because of it.
Tilda went on to say, she was embarrassed that she had started the communication in the first place — that she had possibly gone down a blind alley – but other than that, she carries no regrets.
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Benedict Cumberbatch Doctor Strange Kevin Feige Tilda Swinton
Last modified: July 2, 2021
