Why I Refuse to See "Doctor Strange"

By Ally Russell on November 7, 2016

Doctor Strange is the next blockbuster film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe lineup, and while it has already brought in a revenue of $85 million in its first weekend at the box office, I will not be seeing the movie.

Critics are raving about the movie. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 91 percent fresh rating, with users claiming, “Doctor Strange artfully balances its outré source material against the blockbuster constraints of the MCU, delivering a thoroughly entertaining superhero origin story in the bargain.”

via Wikimedia Commons

Why am I not seeing it? Well, even though I am a comic book fan and equally a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I find that Doctor Strange is not a movie that aims to respect the heritage of its source material.

The straw that broke the camel’s back for Doctor Strange? The casting.

The largest controversy surrounding this movie is the casting of Tilda Swinton as a male Tibetan monk. While I do not object to the changing of gender, I do object to the changing of the ethnic heritage represented.

Doctor Strange is a comic riddled with racist Asian stereotypes since its first publication in 1963. So it comes as no surprise that the movie wants to break away from those stereotypes and not bring racism into the family-friendly films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

However, Swinton’s casting has not done Marvel or Disney any favors with Asian fans.

via Wikimedia Commons

According to The Guardian, The Media Action Network for Asian Actors (MANAA) revolted against Swinton’s casting. President of MANAA, Rob Chan, told Variety the following.

“Given the dearth of Asian roles, there was no reason a monk in Nepal could not be Asian … had [writer/director Scott] Derrickson cast an Asian as the revered leader who guides the main character to become a better human being and to develop his sorcery powers, it would’ve given a big boost to that actor’s career. While actresses deserve the kinds of bold roles usually reserved for men, white actresses are seen onscreen more than Asians of any gender. And Tilda Swinton can afford to turn down roles.”

Like Mr. Chan says, the opportunity to bring positivity for Asian actors and cast them into roles that would portray them as a powerful monk with mastery over the mystic arts would have been a wise move on Marvel’s part. However, the casting stood and Swinton remained in the role as the Ancient One.

Other actors have also weighed in on this casting choice by Marvel.

Kelly Hu who played Lady Deathstrike in X2 (the sequel to 2000′s X-Men) had this to say.

 “I think it’s a shame … From what I’ve been told and what I’ve read, it’s because [studio executives] think that Asian actors and actresses don’t pull in the numbers — that people aren’t going to pay to see Asians on screen. With all these borders opening up and movies going global these days, Asians make up a huge part of the population in the world, and I hope that will start reflecting in Hollywood.”

In reaction to the backlash, director of Doctor Strange Scott Derrickson explained his decision behind Swinton’s casting.

“In this case, the stereotype of [the Ancient One] had to be undone. I wanted it to be a woman, a middle-aged woman. Every iteration of that script played by an Asian woman felt like a ‘Dragon Lady,’” Derrickson explained, referencing another negative on-screen stereotype of an exotic and domineering Asian woman.

“I’m very sensitive to the history of ‘Dragon Lady’ representation and Anna May Wong films. I moved away from that. Who’s the magical, mystical, woman with secrets that could work in this role? I thought Tilda Swinton.”

via Wikimedia Commons

The casting of Swinton left a pretty poor taste in my mouth. Marvel had an opportunity to bring diversity and representation to a movie that heavily relies on the portrayal of Asian culture and influences. The fact that they didn’t see the opportunity to rebel in a time where MANNA is claiming that Hollywood is not diversifying the casts of movies and television shows and that there aren’t enough roles for Asian actors is disappointing.

Even though Doctor Strange promises stunning visual effects, great story, and further intertwining of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I just can’t bring myself to support the film. Representation of all cultures needs to be represented in media; all portrayals should feel positive and give actors of varying ethnic backgrounds the chance to stretch their legs in a variety of roles and not be confined to cultural stereotypes that require them to be extras and background characters.

The only way I know how to show Hollywood that I will not stand for the whitewashing of a role that deservedly belongs to an Asian actor is to not support their movies.

I will be sad to miss Doctor Strange as it proves to be a wonderful addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, I can’t stand to support a movie that denies representation to minorities in roles that rightfully belong to them in the source material.

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