Benedict Wong on breaking stereotypes, space-time continuums and more in Doctor Strange.
Den of Geek: So you havent seen it?
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Benedict Wong:No, so Im looking forward to it.
You watch it and then you have to get used to seeing yourself.
Youre kind of, Uh, yeah, okay.
For me there are the moments.
Im like, Okay, okay, okay.
Im so glad that weve put that to bed and left it in the 60s.
What we have done is weve created a Wong of our times.
This librarian whos not exactly your average librarian.
Overdue books are probably fined with broken fingers.
This is a Wong we dont mess around with.
Im really pleased with this whole production.
This production really is about championing diversity.
We have two strong female leads, Mads, Chiwetel, posh Benedict and not-so-posh Benedict.
It has all the colors.
Im thrilled to be a part of this.
They were fervently, absolutely saying, Were not doing that.
It was wonderful to hear.
When I was watching all these Marvel films, I was always looking and feeling crestfallen.
Where were all the Asian superheroes?
I was pretending in my mind that the Sub-Mariner was actually East Asian, because he looked East Asian.
Somehow I was trying to look for a hero.
How did the part come to you?
He was like, DoingDoctor Strange.
Looking on the internet, I saw this picture of Strange, and then Wong on the side.
I was like, I cant believe this.
I was shooting NetflixsMarco Polo.
I went on tape in Budapest, and then in Slovakia, a few tweaks.
It was like, Wow.
I cant believe it, while I was doing some beheadings.
Yeah, it was a wonderful moment.
I finished that gig, and then I flew back to London, dumped my bags.
Whats it like, to walk on the Marvel set for the first time and be in that universe?
It doesnt feel like any other theres a real special quality to that.
They move mountains to allow schedules for me to be in this.
Im so grateful for that.
Im running down stairs.
Were trying to chastise him about breaking the space-time continuum, I just couldnt get any lines out.
It was quite an interesting first day, but they sent me home, rested, back on again.
You just look around and you just look at the incredible production values that youve got.
Im a fan, but there are super-fans involved, that are making this.
Its so beautifully aligned.
Im blessed to be a part of it.
I just think Ive won some sort of competition.
Its a wonderful feeling.
Im the one thats always trying to stay in character, because Im holding on.
Chiwetel and Benedict just slip in and out of it so easily.
Im like, Okay, Ive just got my serious game face on.
I watched the blooper reel, its hilarious.
I cant wait for people to see that.
Its fun, this work is fun.
Its hard work, but its rewarding.
The end of the movie says Doctor Strange will return.
Im all ready to go.
Wongs definitely going to be inAvengers: Infinity War, so theyre requiring more Wong.
You know thatSNLscene, I think this needs more cow bell?
They said, I think this needs more Wong.
(laughs) So yeah, thats happening in the Infinity Wars.
Its fantastic, were leading our audience into this multiverse.
The possibilities are infinite.
Its a whole new broad canvas, and thats exciting.
Doctor Strangecomes out Friday (November 4).
