This is what true happiness feels like. That moment when everything makes sense, there is no crime, there is no pain, there is no fear, there is only… Tilda Swinton. And Benedict Cumberbatch. Together. On screen. YES! Ever since Marvel announced that they would doing Doctor Strange, there has been a quiet conversation about who should be cast as “the Ancient One,” the person who mentored Doctor Strange in the Dark Arts. In the comic books, the Ancient One was a man (and Tibetan). In the film, Marvel is thinking outside the box and they’re in talks with Tilda Swinton. TILDA. As Bendy’s mentor. Please let this happen.

Tilda Swinton is on her way to the Marvel Universe. The actress is in negotiations to join Benedict Cumberbatch in Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange, being directed by Scott Derrickson. Strange is Marvel’s supernatural hero, a formerly cocky surgeon who loses the use of his hands, and while on a last ditch attempt to heal himself, discovers magic.

Strange’s mentor is a Tibetan mystic known as the Ancient One, who is training pupils to be the next sorcerer supreme. In the comics, the character has been a male, and Marvel Studios initially was searching for a male actor. But the studio rethought the role and has now made it female. If a deal makes, Swinton will play the Ancient One. Strange has a release date of Nov. 4, 2016. The movie is due to begin shooting November in the U.K. Kevin Feige is producing.

[From THR]

If Tilda is eventually cast – and let’s be honest, I really hope this deal goes through – I’m sure there will be significant and justified criticism of the white-washed cast. But a thought occurred to me just now, as I was writing: Marvel probably didn’t want to hire a Tibetan actor or an Asian actor-playing-Tibetan because they want all of their movies to play big in China. China probably would have banned this movie if they had a Tibetan actor or some kind of Tibetan-intensive storyline. I’m just saying, there could be bigger things at play here than a studio doing a default white-washing.

As for Tilda playing a character that goes by the Ancient One, a character that was originally supposed to be a dude? Awesome. She’s the only person I can see in the role now. TILDA & BENDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photos courtesy of WENN.