Gender Turns

Asians have had it particularly rough over the last few years, especially when it’s come to Marvel. Ben Kingsley’s Mandarin, an Asian villain in the comics, was really an actor named Trevor Slattery in “Iron Man 3,” and “Doctor Strange’s” The Ancient One changed nationality and gender with Tilda Swinton’s portrayal in the 2016 film and subsequent appearances in other Marvel movies.

Note: In fairness, in the comics, The Ancient One was criticized for being an older, wise Asian stereotype.

The surprise twist in “Iron Man 3,” though, where it was revealed Kingsley was not portraying Mandarin at all but a boozy performer playing the character, shortchanged fans who were expecting an honest portrayal of the comic book icon.

The studio had it both ways. They technically did not need to find an Asian performer for the part.

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