'Doctor Strange' news: Chiwetel Ejiofor on Mordo's motives; Benedict Cumberbatch reveals Doctor Strange's next film

Many aspects of Doctor Strange's story from the Marvel comic series have been reinvented for the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film.

For instance, the Ancient One, played by Tilda Swinton, has been race-swapped and gender-swapped. In addition to this, Baron Mordo, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, initially appears not as Doctor Strange's (Benedict Cumberbatch) mortal enemy, but as a mentor and an ally. In the trailers for the highly anticipated MCU offering, Mordo is seen guiding Strange as he meets the Ancient One and learns the skills of Kamar-Taj.

In the comics, Mordo is a gifted magician adept in the dark arts of magic. He is portrayed as completely villainous, plotting to kill the Ancient One and consequently being cast out. The movie version of Mordo is more complex and, as Ejiofor recently told Collider, is a "very three-dimensional" character with a real history and a real background.

Ejiofor also discussed the relationship between Mordo and Strange, saying, "I think it starts with Strange as the pupil... and I think it develops into something deeper and richer." According to the "Doctor Strange" actor, as the two gain a better understanding of each other, a camaraderie and a mutual respect is formed.

While the comics portrayed Mordo's motivations as jealousy over Strange's abilities, Ejiofor says that his character isn't exactly driven by envy.

"What [Kamar-Taj] means to Mordo is so strong and his defense of it [and the Ancient One] is so deep... that he would react to any perceived threat," he told ComicBook.com. Rather than envy, Ejiofor explained that Mordo's motivations are loyalty and protectiveness.

Meanwhile, Cumberbatch recently revealed that after making his big screen debut in "Doctor Strange," the titular superhero will next appear in the upcoming "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018). This is contrary to speculation that the character will make a cameo in next year's "Thor: Ragnarok."

The "Doctor Strange" star confirmed his character's next cinematic outing in an interview with Empire, in which he said that for Strange's next film, he would have to somehow align the schedules of "Avengers: Age of Ultron" stars Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen.

"To get us all together will be quite something," the actor said. "That's why this character is being introduced, to open up the next chapter. So watch this space to see how that unfolds."

"Doctor Strange" will be released Friday, Nov. 4.