More ‘Doctor Strange’ Set Photos Reveal Mads Mikkelsen’s Mystery Villain

Just yesterday we got a new look at Benedict Cumberbatch and Chiwetel Ejiofor on the set of Doctor Strange, as the actors (along with some colorfully-costumed co-stars) filmed a scene in New York — in broad daylight! Where anyone could see! Today brings more photos from the set of Marvel’s mystical superhero film, this time giving us a sneak peek at Mads Mikkelsen’s secretive villain and his seriously rad makeup.

Like yesterday, these unofficial pics popped up on Twitter:

And here’s a closer look at that incredible makeup:

Mikkelsen’s role in Doctor Strange has been kept under wraps, though we do know that he’s playing the film’s villain, rumored to be Dormammu. The Marvel villain originated as one of the Faltine, a species of beings in another dimension who subsist on energy — but unlike his brethren, Dormammu hungered for matter, and was ultimately banished from his dimension (along with his sister).

Although Marvel has yet to confirm the identity of Mikkelsen’s character, the coloring around his eyes is rather evocative of Dormammu. It’s still possible that Mikkelsen isn’t playing this character specifically, but some variation on the comic book villain.

Doctor Strange stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular Sorcerer Supreme and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo, a fellow student of The Ancient One, portrayed by Tilda Swinton. Rachel McAdams plays a colleague of Strange (rumored to be Night Nurse or a variation on that character), with Michael Stuhlbarg as rival surgeon Nicodemus West. Transparent’s Amy Landecker and Scott Adkins have undisclosed roles in the film, which hits theaters on November 4.