Morgan Freeman, Bill Nighy and Ken Watanabe competing for role in Dr. Strange

Dr. Strange has its Sorcerer Supreme – now it needs its mentor figure. Following the news that British thesp Benedict Cumberbatch would don the robes of Dr. Strange, we’ve now learned that three actors are vying for the role of The Ancient One, the Doc’s all-round mentor, the original Sorcerer Supreme. Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, and Bill Nighy are all up for the part, and each actor has spoken with Marvel Studios – but in a report from Latino Review, there is nothing concrete about who the forerunner for the role is. This would be a terrific part to play in the film, as The Ancient One was also mentor to Baron Karl Mordo in the comics, who – after the dots have been joined – will probably be Dr. Strange‘s central villain.

Nighy, Watanabe and Freeman are (obviously) are all tremendously different actors; what we know for sure is that they are all brilliant at spouting exposition in their movies, which we’re guessing will be a core quality of The Ancient One.