The Strange Untold Origin of Ethan Stranger

- September 26, 2020

Every superhero needs an origin story and I, Ethan Stranger am no exception. While I may not be an actual superhero or have any actual superpowers, there’s a bit of story to my name itself, allow me to explain the origin of how I came up with such an unusual name for a Blogger & understand my passion for sharing my experiences, struggles & achievements with others.

You see this Screencap (Below, Left) from “2016’s Doctor Strange”, well look closely & you’ll see a tourist, wearing a colorful stripe shirt, a fedora hat, a backpack & sunglasses & you’ll be asking yourselves that he seems to be more dressed for the beach than walking around some dirty crowded alley, well...to be honest, that’s actually ME, Ethan Stranger, Myself & now you’re asking yourselves, how did a newcomer Blogger become an extra in a neverending superhero expanding franchise? Well lean closer to the screen & pull up some snacks & drinks for it’s time for a story…

It was November 2015 and I was living in Kathmandu, Nepal at the time (let’s just say I was stationed over there due to some family business). During my early months living there, I struggled into adapting to the new reality that was around me I was going through, the culture, the language, the laws, the money, everything was different compared to the lifestyle back in the US. To be honest, I’ve always had some difficulties adjusting to changes, especially those that are big. At that point in time, I just graduated from High School and I could’ve just gone off to college, I felt I was ready to face these challenges, so I decided that I needed to reassess my options and leave my hometown to try and grow a little bit as a person. Another reason I chose this path was because my Senior Year had some ups & downs, plus this was an opportunity for me to explore the other side of the world.

While the earliest months posted there proved to be somewhat of a challenge, an unexpected announcement occurred, a film crew came by asking for an upcoming Marvel Movie (under the title “Checkmate”, several film productions used coverup titles to avoid spoilers), I didn’t know which Marvel movie was shooting in Nepal at time, I heard that “Captain America: Civil War” had just finished up production, couldn’t be “Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (cause what would a bunch of “Space Avengers” be doing in a Poor Country), couldn’t be “Spider-Man: Homecoming (for Spidey to swing in a far away country like Nepal, he’s definitely gonna need a Hospital)”, so I was guessing it could’ve been “Thor: Ragnarok” (lucky guess), but it wasn’t until I read this old Marvel Comic from my Dad’s collection (Top, Center), it was there that I finally spoiled myself for the upcoming film, it was “Dr. Strange” (though in the original comics, the setting was in India, but I’m guessing due to India being more Hi-Advanced these days, the crew chose Kathmandu due to the fact that the reality there was more similar from the comics).

Fast Forward to the day of the Shooting for Dr. Strange, it was revealed that the cast & crew were gonna be Shooting in Kathmandu for 3 days, out of the 3 Days of shooting, they only needed extras for 2 Days, out of the 2 Days I was on Set, I only made into this scene (this exact Screencap, Top), though you also catch me in motion within this small “Behind-the-scene Clip” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE5LJQZxb3Q 0:44-0:46)

For those wondering if I ever got a chance to talk to Dr. Strange actor himself, “Benedict Cumberbatch” or Baron Mordo actor himself, “Chiwetel Ejiofor (he only showed up on Day 2 of shooting at the Monkey Temple), the answer is no, for the production crew was always guarding their precious actor from breaking character if he were talking to a random unknown extra, though I did chat with several of the production crew members (even Benedict's stunt double named Peter, whom he said portrayed a stormtrooper in “The Force Awakens”).

Fast Forward to Late 2016, me & my parents were on a trip to Malaysia, it was there, my Dad & I saw the premiere of Dr. Strange & I was able to spot myself within the movie, weeks later (back in Nepal), my Mom & I attended a special screening of the Movie (for the extras who were apart of this), even there I didn’t see/talk to Benedict Cumberbatch (nor Ancient One Actress, Tilda Swinton) who did a “Hello brief screening” for those extras who started in the movie. Since my brief cameo, I began sharing this pic to both friends & family, thought it was time for me to do somewhat of a Blog Post about this experience, especially since I’m trying to break into the entertainment business (which isn’t easy for somebody with Asperger’s), plus who knows if I’ll get this excited experience again, as well as Dr. Strange being my 3rd favorite Marvel Hero (next to Iron Man & Spider-Man), which is why I was dressed as the Sorcerer Supreme for Halloween 2017 (Top Picture, Left) & for I’m working on my own “Silver Age-Styled Dr. Strange Fanfiction Series” (but that’s another story, for another time).

Looking at this post makes me realize what a long journey it has been from 2016 all the way to 2020, I feel that I was quite the different person back then and although I’m still facing some of the same difficulties, I feel that I’m moving forward, it may not be easy (especially for somebody with Aspergers) and it's even quite scary, but I’m surely trying. Like Ian Malcom mentioned, “life finds a way”.

Well, it’s B-Day time, so I, Ethan Stranger, is signing off, but not before saying, Excelsior!