With Scott Derrickson's "Doctor Strange" hitting the big screen next year, Marvel Studios Head Kevin Feige has revealed that The Ancient One will have a female incarnation in the upcoming film.
Feige told Birth Movies Death that there have been various iterations of Doctor Strange's mystic guru and there were others as well. The Marvel head also mentioned that the studio has the autonomy to select the cast in remarkable ways, which includes the female version of The Ancient One.
"Moonrise Kingdom" actress Tilda Swinton is set to play the Spirit Leopard, also known as The Ancient One. As per Cinema Blend, playing gender-bending roles is not new to the actress and playing characters that necessitate impactful alterations is her forte.
Swinton has appeared in various films playing notable roles, such as Mason in "Snowpiercer," Madame D. in "the Grand Budapest Hotel," Archangel Gabriel in "Constantine," and the witch in "Chronicles of Narnia."
Aside from "Doctor Strange," the actress is also set to appear in Luca Guadagnino's crime drama film "A Bigger Splash," and in Ethan and Joel Coen's comedy musical drama "Hail, Caesar!"
Along with Swinton, "12 Years a Slave" actor Chiwetel Ejiofor will play Baron Mordo and "The Imitation Game" actor Benedict Cumberbatch is set to play the titular character.
Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the Ancient One was the mentor of the titular character and is also known as the "Sorcerer Supreme." The character first appeared in "Stranger Tales #110" in July 1963.
Derrickson's "Doctor Strange" is slated to premiere in theaters on Nov. 4, 2016.