That wasn't the bitter argument. The most rabid complaints were about the Ancient One being "whitewashed", with the role played by a Caucasian actor.

Others were angry because it was "appropriation", or the "mighty whitey" trope. Yet others didn't want another Asian character in a sterotypical "wise mystic" role and would have been offended by that choice. Others were annoyed because Dr Strange was White.

This got so bad that Marvel studios put out press explaining that the Ancient One was a role passed down from sorcerer to sorcerer, and the current one was of Celtic background.

The scriptwriter had a different, probably more honest response. He pointed out that:

1. About 20% of the movie's expected box office is likely to come from China. Only 20-30 Western movies are allowed to be show there a year, so the Chinese government has to approve of the content.

2. China invaded Tibet. Putting a prominent Tibetan character in there and having Strange go there would be controversial. In the movie, Strange travels to Burma.

3. Substituting a Chinese character, or casting a Chinese actor, would also be very insensitive, given, y'know, the invasion of Tibet thing and how it;s not really cool to endorse that. Not all Asians are alike and interchangable.

4. Whether there was an Asian Ancient One or a non-Asian Ancient One, some people were going to be pissed, so they went with a good actress.