Chiwetel Ejiofor set to become Benedict Cumberbatch's arch enemy: 12 Years A Slave star cast as Doctor Strange's nemesis Baron Mordo in new Marvel film

By MailOnline Reporter

Published: 08:39 EST, 12 June 2015 | Updated: 08:55 EST, 12 June 2015

He bulked up to star as a police officer in John Hillcoat's drama Triple Nine.

And it looks as though Chiwetel Ejiofor's rippling pecs and six-pack attracted the attention of producers looking to cast the villain in Marvel's forthcoming superhero epic Doctor Strange.

The Oscar nominee, 37, has been chosen to play sorcerer Baron Mordo opposite Benedict Cumberbatch in Scott Derrickson's new film, Deadline has reported.

Role revealed: Chiwetel Ejiofor has been cast as sorcerer Baron Mordo opposite Benedict Cumberbatch

He joins an increasingly British cast which could soon include Tilda Swinton who is reportedly in talks to play the Ancient One, a mystical Tibetan mentor to Strange. 

Baron Mordo is a long-time enemy of Doctor Strange who first appeared in the comic 'Strange Tales' in 1963.

He has similar abilities to his adversary Doctor Strange, but Mordo is particularly skilled at astral projection and hypnosis.

Arch nemesis: Benedict Cumberbatch seems to be the perfect choice to play Doctor Strange, a former neurosurgeon who becomes the Sorcerer Supreme

Arch nemesis: Benedict Cumberbatch seems to be the perfect choice to play Doctor Strange, a former neurosurgeon who becomes the Sorcerer Supreme

Mordo is more willing to use powerful black magic and invoke demons, both of which Strange is reluctant or unable to do. 

In the upcoming film it has been reported that Ejiofor's character will not be 'completely villainous'.

Instead he will be a combination of characters 'culled from Doctor Strange's mythology'.

Benedict seems to be the perfect choice to play Doctor Strange, a former neurosurgeon who becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, Earth's protector against magical and mystical threats.

After damaging his hands in a car accident, the egotistical Strange goes on a global hunt to find a way to stop the tremors that have forced him out of the operating room.

It is in the Himalayas that he meets The Ancient One who helps turn the formerly selfish surgeon into a formidable hero with the martial arts skills and magical artifacts to combat dark forces in the world.

Kevin Feige announced Doctor Strange was in the development as part of phase three of the MCU, with filming scheduled to begin shooting in May this year at Pinewood-Shepperton studios in the UK.

Doctor Strange is scheduled for release on 4 November 2016. 

Casting: Tilda Swinton is reportedly the frontrunner to play Tibetan mystic The Ancient One in the Marvel Comics and Disney film Doctor Strange

Comments (24)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now