“Doctor Strange”: a mystical journey into the heart of the Marvel Universe
Published in 2016, Doctor Strange is directed by Scott Derrickson and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, a talented but arrogant neurosurgeon. After a car accident severely damages his hands, Strange embarks on a quest to heal and discovers the Kamar-Taj, a place full of magic where he learns the mystical arts and becomes the Supreme Sorcerer, defender of the Earth against mystical and interdimensional threats.
The film stands out for its innovative visual effects, in particular the sequences in which reality is manipulated, which recall the aesthetics ofStart. Among the cinematic anecdotes, we remember that Benedict Cumberbatch studied dance movements for the spell sequences, in order to give fluidity and authenticity to the use of magic. Additionally, the film required months of preparation for the fight choreography, which mixed elements of martial arts and mystical movements.
In 2022, the sequel, titled Doctor Strange: Into the Multiverse of Madness was released in cinemas.
Why did the character of the Elder cause controversy?
In Marvel comics, the Ancient One is traditionally depicted as an Asian man, Dr. Strange’s mentor. For the film, Marvel Studios chose to cast Tilda Swinton, a white actress, in the role, sparking accusations of “whitewashing” – a practice of assigning minority character roles to white actors.
This decision was criticized by many fans and observers, who saw it as yet another exclusion of Asian actors from Hollywood. Marvel defended its choice by explaining that it wanted to avoid the stereotypes associated with the original character, often perceived as a orientalist caricature. The film’s screenwriter stated that the choice of Tilda Swinton aimed to offer a new interpretation of the character, far from clichés.
This explanation, however, did not convince everyone. In 2021, Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, acknowledged that the decision was a mistake and that the studio felt it was “smart and forward-thinking” in avoiding stereotypes, but that it had led to problematic representation.
Tilda Swinton herself responded to the controversy, expressing gratitude for the discussions it sparked and recognizing the importance of these debates in moving towards better representation on screen.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
