Rumor: Nighy, Watanabe & Freeman eyed to play Ancient One in Doctor Strange

By Jesse Giroux

Posted 11 years ago

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Now that we know Benedict Cumberbatch will be playing Doctor Strange in the upcoming Marvel movie, which actors might be up for the role of The Ancient One, Strange's mentor? It's not clear how big of a part it will be since the film reportedly won't be an origin story, but according to LR, Bill Nighy, Ken Watanabe and Morgan Freeman have been approached to play The Ancient One.

Besides mentoring Doctor Strange in the comics, The Ancient One also trained Baron Mordo, and many believe the supervillain will play a big part in the Scott Derrickson directed film. The Ancient One is a Tibetan sorcerer, so the obvious choice here is Ken Watanabe (and yes, I know he's not from Tibet, but at least he's Asian), and I wouldn't mind if Bill Nighy landed the role either. Morgan Freeman though? Don't get me wrong, I love me some Freeman, but I just don't think he's the right actor for the part. Who do you think should play The Ancient One?

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Jesse Giroux

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Favorite Movies: American Beauty/Psycho/Splendor/History X, 12 Monkeys, Schindler's List, About Schmidt, Fargo, Blazing read more Saddles, Bringing Out the Dead, Rushmore, Dark City, The Dark Knight, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Funny Games, God Bless America, High Fidelity, Igby Goes Down, L.A. Confidential, Leon, Magnolia, Memento, Shaun of the Dead, Se7en, Reservoir Dogs, Adaptation, There Will be Blood, Happiness, I Heart Huckabees, Grosse Pointe Blank, Frailty, The Vengeance Trilogy, In Bruges, Sunshine, Scanners, Team America, City of God, Four Lions, Requiem for a Dream, The Blues Brothers, The Road, Tae Gook Gi, Children of Men

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