Academy Award nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12 Years a Slave") has signed on as the villainous Baron Mordo in Scott Derrickson's "Doctor Strange," according to Deadline. Ejiofor joins a cast that already includes Benedict Cumberbatch and is eyeing Tilda Swinton for another key role.
In the comics, Mordo trained under the Ancient One (the role Marvel wants Swinton for) with Cumberbatch's character and is Stephen Strange's primary rival. His hatred for Strange stems from jealousy and results in the former pupils becoming enemies. The two share a long and destructive history with one another which could result in a multi-picture deal for Ejiofor.
Deadline does say, however, that Mordo will not be painted as the same through-and-through bad guy he was in the comics. Instead, he will possess traits from several different characters from Doctor Strange's storylines in an attempt to make him a more well-rounded character. Derrickson seems intent to put his own stamp on the material by changing Mordo's character and recasting the Ancient One as a female.
Although some loyal fans may be turned off by this, it sounds like a quality approach for non-diehards. Director/writer James Gunn made significant changes to "Guardians of the Galaxy," another non-mainstream comic book property without a large built-in fan base, and it led to box office records and universally positive reviews. Hopefully, Derrickson's approach yields similar results.
"Doctor Strange" is due out on November 4, 2016.
