Marvel responds to Tilda Swinton’s casting in Doctor Strange

Marvel have released an official statement in regards to the controversial casting of Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One in Doctor Strange.

In the comic books, the Ancient One is depicted as Tibetan and so Marvel have responded to questions around casting a white woman in the role. Criticism came from all over including the film’s screenwriter C. Robert Cargill, who labelled the original Ancient One as a “racist stereotype,” and said the studio made the change in order to avoid alienating China’s market.

The Anicient one (left) & Tilda Swinton (right).

Marvel told The New York Times: “Marvel has a very strong record of diversity in its casting of films and regularly departs from stereotypes and source material,”

“The Ancient One is a title that is not exclusively held by any one character, but rather a moniker passed down through time, and in this particular film the embodiment is Celtic. We are very proud to have the enormously talented Tilda Swinton portray this unique and complex character alongside our richly diverse cast.”

You can see Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One in Doctor Strange which hits screens on November 4.