Doctor Strange

[Miriel]

They didn't cast an Asian for the Ancient One because technically the character is from Tibet and China is the biggest box office venue for Hollywood right now. So they basically had to change the character's origins or risk having the film banned in China. She is of Celtic origin now according to the Wikipedia article on the film, and technically her character is meant to be androgynous and unknowable so even that might not stick since Ancient One appears to be a title.

This whole "she's Celtic" thing was an excuse they trotted out after there was significant backlash about this whole thing. And if that were truly their intent, to make it a Celtic character, than put her in smurfing traditional Celtic dress, not in blatantly Asian inspired outfits, surroundings, and motifs.

Such a bs excuse.

smurf that.

It every year, movie after movie, this constant whitewashing. I'm sick of it.

Let's say the motivating factor here was money, and not offending China means money. Since they cast a white person in the role of an Asian person, did they then go on to cast an Asian person in a role of equal significance to make up for it? Hell no! Did they even think to do that? I bet you that was never even in consideration. Casting for diversity beyond the lucky black actor or actress here or there is not a priority for studios.