Doctor Strange is becoming the British-iest Marvel movie ever made, apparently. Deadline is reporting that not only has Chiwetel Ejiofor joined the cast, but he’ll be playing the classic Doctor Strange villain Baron Mordo to boot.
Mordo made his first appearance in 1963 in Strange Tales #111, and has been a common foe in the mystical adventures of Steven Strange ever since, combating the Sorcerer Supreme with his own dark magic skills — but Deadline adds that the movie’s interpretation will be “an amalgamation of characters culled from Doctor Strange’s mythology,” so it won’t necessarily be the same character from the comics.
It’s not really surprising to see that he’ll be appearing in Doctor Strange’s cinematic debut, but it’s welcome to hear that British acting icon Chiwetel Ejiofor (perhaps best known in nerd circles for his role as the Operative in Serenity or for his ability to crop up in listicles everywhere when a new Doctor Who lead is being cast) will apparently fill his magical underoos on the big screen.
But seriously: Benedict Cumberbatch, then Tilda Swinton, and now Chiwetel Ejiofor? This movie is getting so British, I’m half expecting it to just be about Doctor Strange relaxing in his living room and having tea and biscuits.
Not that I’m complaining, mind. Peggy, Simmons and Jarvis can’t be the only Brits of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.