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Chiwetel Ejiofor Teases Doctor Strange Role

Though all eyes are on Captain America: Civil War in the wake of that Marvel Cinematic Universe entry's killer first trailer dropping earlier this week, the wheels are already turning on further-ahead Marvel installments, like next November's Doctor Strange.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

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Though all eyes are on Captain America: Civil War in the wake of that Marvel Cinematic Universe entry’s killer first trailer dropping earlier this week, the wheels are already turning on further-ahead Marvel installments, like next November’s Doctor Strange.

Production is currently under way on the superhero pic, which is directed by Deliver Us From Evil helmer Scott Derrickson, and though plot details have been sparse, Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor recently answered a few questions about how his character – Baron Mordo – factors into both Doctor Strange and future MCU films:

“Obviously, the idea is that you’ll be part of something that could have more incarnations, but that’s sort of not the focus. The focus is that you just want to make the film that you’re making as good as you can make it. That’s what I’m in engaged with at the moment. It’s a really fascinating project.”

Given the terrific cast assembled thus far for Doctor Strange, we’re inclined to agree with Ejiofor’s assessment. In addition to Benedict Cumberbatch taking on the role of the Sorcerer Supreme, Hannibal alum Mads Mikkelsen will play a key (and hopefully nefarious) role, and Tilda Swinton is portraying a gender-swapped version of The Ancient One. The supporting cast, meanwhile, includes Scott Adkins, Amy Landecker, Rachel McAdams and Michael Stuhlbarg.

It’s not clear yet which comic-book figures each of those actors are bringing to life, and though it’s confirmed that Ejiofor is playing Mordo, the actor’s comments about the nature of his role in Doctor Strange have already brought into question whether his character will be the same (read: villainous) one with whom comic-book aficionados are familiar. When asked if Mordo would serve as Strange’s main antagonist, the actor cryptically said:

“In a strange way, I don’t want to answer that question, if you don’t mind. Because I feel like it’s linked to things I shouldn’t get into. I hope it will be interesting when we bring the film out to see what those characters are like — or what they’re not like. You’re gonna have to wait and see!”

Doctor Strange aims to shine a light into the more supernatural side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is something past films have merely teased. The logline reads:

“Doctor Strange follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.”

Doctor Strange opens November 4, 2016.