benedict-wong

‘Doctor Strange’ debuted as a comic book character in 1963, which was a… simpler time.  The new film by Scott Derrickson has already run into issues with the decision to cast a Caucasian actor, Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One, a character traditionally depicted as a Tibetan man.  Then there’s Doctor Strange’s “manservant” Wong, another stereotypical Asian character, who serves as a subservient butler who also happens to be a martial arts expert.

Benedict Wong is portraying the character in the film, but he stresses that the movie version will deviate from the source material.

Wong“I’m certainly not going to be the tea-making manservant. We’re heading in a different direction. He’s more of a drill sergeant.

“There isn’t any martial arts for Wong in Doctor Strange actually, he’s more of a drill sergeant to Kamar-Taj. He’s one of the masters of sorcery.”

So director Derrickson is clearly making an effort to avoid antiquated racial stereotypes.

Benedict Wong may be best known for playing Kublai Khan in the Netflix series ‘Marco Polo’ which was just renewed for a second season.  He has also appeared in major sci fi flicks like ‘Prometheus’ and ‘The Martian‘.

When asked about appearing in additional Marvel movies, Wong stated “That would be nice! No, we’ll start off with the first one. I’m just happy nearly completing in ‘Doctor Strange’. I’m very excited to see what happens.”

‘Doctor Strange’ is currently in post-production for release this winter.

‘Doctor Strange’ directed by Gareth Edwards, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benedict Wong, and Mads Mikkelsen emerges on this plane on November 4, 2016.

Source: Den of Geek