In ‘Doctor Strange’ AND ‘Star Wars,’ Mads Mikkelsen marvels at his success
Mads Mikkelsen is having his moment.
It’s cool enough that the Danish actor plays the big baddie Kaecilius in “Doctor Strange.” But also, in December, he co-stars in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” as Galen Erso, a brilliant scientist and the father of heroine Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones).
“When I became an actor, I never dreamed I would be working in America. I was just a Danish actor,” Mikkelsen told the Fresno Bee. “Now I’m in ‘Star Wars’ and a Marvel film. It just doesn’t seem to make any sense. It’s surreal when you step back and look at it.”
Mikkelsen, a former gymnast, has always loved Bruce Lee. He hopped aboard “Doctor Strange” as soon as director Scott Derrickson mentioned that “flying kung fu” would be involved.
“I thought, ‘Hey, I’m 51, I can do flying kung fu,’ ” Mikkelsen told The Associated Press. “It’s about time.” He has the bruises to prove it.
He’s used to playing the villain: Mikkelsen has starred as the title character on TV’s “Hannibal” and as James Bond’s nemesis in “Casino Royale.”
Sharon Hoffmann: 816-234-4457, @Sharonakc
This story was originally published November 2, 2016 at 11:56 AM with the headline "In ‘Doctor Strange’ AND ‘Star Wars,’ Mads Mikkelsen marvels at his success."