We now have news of Mads Mikkelsen’s villain identity in Marvel’s Doctor Strange, which was previously kept under wraps. We have long known that Chiwetel Ejiofor will play Doctor Strange’s classic nemesis Baron Mordo, although the movie will have the Baron working alongside Strange at some point. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Doctor Strange with Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One and Benedict Wong as Wong.
Marvel has released a movie-prequel comic which shows Mikkelsen’s role of Kaecilius (pictured above left), a little known character from the Marvel comic. The character first appeared in a 1965 Doctor Strange story as an assistant to Baron Mordo in a minor role. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has elevated that role to one of prominence. The prequel comic book refers to Kaecilius as one of the highly ranked Masters of the Mystic Arts. Marvel’s Doctor Strange Prelude, written and drawn by Will Corona Pilgrim and Jorge Fornes, reveals some of Kaecilius’ history including working alongside the Ancient One, and shows the Masters of the Mystic Arts (Kaecilius, Daniel Drumm, Tina Minoru, Wong) chasing a woman who has stolen the Eye of Agamotto from the British Museum. We can deduce that at some point Kaecilius turns to the dark side.
Doctor Strange is currently in post-production and will bow in theaters on November 4th.