Chiwetel Ejiofor eyed for role in Doctor Strange

Continuing the studio’s exciting preference for casting brilliant actors in its films, Marvel are now looking toward Chiwetel Ejiofor for a role in Doctor Strange. The actor wowed audiences and critics alike in 12 Years a Slave, and now the movie – directed by Scott Derrickson – is looking toward his talents as a yet-unknown character. The Wrap has reported that the star may have already shifted his schedule to accommodate the Marvel movie, and that he may be playing The Ancient One, a role originally rumoured to be circled by Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe and Bill Nighy (in which case, they have made the character a much younger man). Of course, Ejiofor still has big movies to work on like The Martian with Matt Damon – but expect to see him potentially casting magic in Doctor Strange alongside his 12 Years a Slave co-star, Benedict Cumberbatch, who’ll be playing the Sorcerer Supreme himself, in November 2016. Check back to Flickreel for more updates on casting news for the film as it comes.