15 Best Performances In MCU Movies (So Far)

It shouldn’t go unsaid that the casting of Tilda Swinton was a controversial one. While the choice to cast the Ancient One with a non-Asian actor was done to avoid the character falling into cinematic stereotypes, the accusations of whitewashing are certainly not without their merits.

None of this is down to Swinton herself, however, and should not get in the way of a fantastic and distinctive role for the actress. Tilda Swinton is one of those performers who has an aura no matter what she does. She is naturally mysterious and enigmatic, someone with immense screen presence.

In spite of any problematic choices behind the scenes, Swinton is perfect in this role. She perfectly captures the character’s ineffable but undeniable power - when she returns in Avengers: Endgame, she effortlessly tangles with Bruce Banner, gaining the upper hand without breaking a sweat.

Director Scott Derrickson has expressed regret over the film’s casting, feeling rightly that he was stuck in a bind. But if your film calls for an all knowing, all seeing quandary of a character, it’s hard to do much better than Tilda Swinton.