Doctor Strange Teaser Trailer Released!

April 13, 2016

  • Source: www.youtube.com / Via: www.youtube.com

  • Shortly after the release of a vague film poster, we get a look at the Doctor Strange movie! The trailer reveals mind bending visuals and the phenomenal acting of Benedict Cumberbatch, whose line “Teach me,” sent chills down our spines! However, the film is not without its controversy. When casting was initially announced, particularly that of Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One, fans were outraged by the apparent whitewashing of the original comic characters. Cumberbatch too, felt the ire of the Strange fandom, despite Strange’s race never having been explicitly stated throughout the comic series. Now looking at the trailer, Swinton’s character is appallingly out of place, shaved bald in Asian-inspired attire while standing in a dojo-like structure.

  • Originally, the Ancient One was a Tibetan farmer whose friend accidentally discovers magic, starting his journey into the arts and to becoming Steven Strange’s mentor. Marvel initially defended Swinton’s casting as a simple re-imagining of the character, studio President Kevin Feige saying in a statement: “We’re never afraid to change. In the comic books, Jarvis is an elderly butler. In the movies, he’s an A.I. system which becomes Paul Bettany’s Vision. We are always looking for ways to change. I think if you look at some of the early incarnations of the Ancient One in the comics, they are what we would consider today to be quite, sort of, stereotypical. They don’t hold up to what would work today. Also, within the storyline of the comics, and our movie, ‘the Ancient One’ is a title that many people have had. We hit very early on on, What if the Ancient One was a woman? What if the title had been passed and the current Ancient One is a woman? Oh, that’s an interesting idea. [Clicks fingers.] Tilda Swinton! Whoah! And it just hit.” However, Swinton’s portrayal doesn’t seem to follow with Feige’s statement. Hopefully we’ll see a little less cultural appropriation as the movie’s release date of November 4th looms ever closer.