Proof Tilda Swinton Can Play Any Character

Amazing news: It’s been announced that Tilda Swinton is in talks to join Marvel’s Doctor Strange movie. While we would love nothing more than to see this transformative actress work alongside the great and drop-dead sexy Benedict Cumberbatch, I’m more enticed by the fact that the role she’s eyeing is traditionally portrayed by a man. If she were to close the deal on this, this would be an incredibly bold and feminist statement from Marvel.

Specifically, Swinton is in talks to play The Ancient One, a Tibetan mystic who teaches Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) the ways of magic and trains him to become the Sorcerer Supreme, Earth’s defender against supernatural forces. In the comics and in any animated incarnations, such as the animated movie that’s currently available to stream on Netflix, The Ancient One is an elderly man, but Marvel wants to cast a woman in the role and there’s no one better equipped to handle such a responsibility than Swinton.

The actress’ striking physical features allow her to shapeshift into anyone she sees fit. It’s a crazy statement to make, but it’s true: she looks incredible in any role she chooses. An elegant queen, a fashionista vampire, an old woman... literally anything. She became unrecognizable for a variety of roles, and The Ancient One would make a fine addition to her resume.

In the hopes that her and Marvel will come to an agreement, here are some of Swinton’s most transformative roles.

1. Snowpiercer

Swinton has modelesque features, which she constantly flaunts on the red carpet and in the pages of magazines. But for the post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie Snowpiercer , she slathered on the prosthetics and makeup to become an aging elitist with detachable dentures.

2. The Grand Budapest Hotel

When I first saw Swinton in the trailer for The Grand Budapest Hotel , I had to do a double take. She's played elderly women before, but nothing quite so unrecognizable. Her face can handle incredible amounts of makeup and, because she's such a formidable force, she's able to come alive instead of letting the makeup wear her.

3. Constantine

Angels are classically depicted as sexually ambiguous beings, possessing both male and female characteristics. With her role as the archangel Gabriel, Swinton was able to flaunt both extremes of her transformative abilities.

4. Only Lovers Left Alive

Give Swinton a pair of fake vampire chompers and she'll come alive in the darkness, but she'll maintain her laid-back elegance. No matter what she's wearing or who she's playing, she completely loses herself in the role, which is an entertaining feat to behold. (Plus, see how she already starred in a movie with my other love, Tom Hiddleston? Now she has the chance to work with Cumberbatch...the world will not be the same.)

5. Trainwreck

To remind you all that Swinton is more than elaborate costumes and makeup, here she is with Amy Schumer in the upcoming comedy Trainwreck . Rather than overbearing prosthetics, she looks like dynamite as Schumer's gorgeous boss. Flip your hair one more time, why don't you?

6. The Chronicles of Narnia

One cannot talk about Swinton unless one talks about The Chronicles of Narnia. This role gave us so many GIF-able moments (like this one!), as well as a deliciously evil character. Even in GIF form, the witch's eyes snow-pierce through my soul.

7. The Limits of Control

The Limits of Control is an odd film, one that centers on a man traveling through Spain and committing a criminal job. However, amidst the story emerges Swinton, playing a character known simply as Blonde. Can't you tell by her hair? Swinton is like a real-life Mystique from X-Men. She could transform into a horse handler and live on a farm in the middle of Texas and no one would be the wiser. If she ever disappears for any reason, that's where I'd look.

Images: FYeahSnowpiercer/Tumblr; Heroes-Get-Made/Tumblr; Giphy (2); Nick Romano/Bustle; Wifflegif