Marvel Looking to Cast Chiwetel Ejiofor in DOCTOR STRANGE
Marvel Studios and director Scott Derrickson are looking to start beefing up the cast for Doctor Strange, and it's being reported that Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, Serenity) might join Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Bruhl in the highly anticipated film.
According to The Wrap, the actor is really close to solidifying the deal and is even turning down other movie roles so that his schedule is open for Doctor Strange. That's a pretty good sign that this is going to happen.
Marvel hasn't officially confirmed the casting yet, and there are no details on who he will be playing. There has been talk of the villain Baron Mordo appearing in the film, but according to the sites sources he will not be playing that character. Bruhl will most likely be taking on that role.
They speculate that Ejiofor will be playing the Ancient One, who serves as mentor to both Stephen Strange and Baron Mordo, and precedes Strange as Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme. He seems a little young for the role to me, but I guess they could make him look older if they need to.
THR also suggests that the actor might be playing Doctor Strange's monk servant and sidekick, Wong. The only issue with that is Wong is Chinese in the comics. You never know, though, Marvel could easily have switched things up for the movies.
Ejiofor is currently shooting The Martian for Ridley Scott, and after that he will start work on Billy Ray’s remake of The Secret in Their Eyes. The guy is an amazingly talented actor, and it would be awesome to see him jump into the Marvel cinematic universe.
Doctor Strange opens November 4th, 2016.