Earlier last month, Marvel fans were disappointed to find out that director Scott Derrickson had parted ways with Marvel Studios and wouldn’t be directing Doctor Strange 2 due to creative differences. But the studio has certainly found the finest replacement for the job in Sam Raimi.
According to Variety, Raimi, the director who helped kickstart the Marvel superhero universe with 2002’s Spider-Man, is reportedly in talks to helm ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’. Marvel Studios hasn’t yet officially confirmed the news or responded to a comment.
Since directing the last Marvel title with 2007’s Spider-Man 3, Raimi hasn’t been actively making movies in Hollywood. Though the director did direct few well-known titles such as Drag Me to Hell and The Wizard of Oz, he has mainly stuck to his producing side and has aided in relaunching the horror franchises like Evil Dead and Poltergeist.
Derrickson’s untimely exit from the project was rumored by many that it could be due to differences over the director’s interest in making an R-rated title. But Marvel’s very own Kevin Feige had other plans and had assured that the film would be ‘PG-13’. However, the director hasn’t entirely severed his ties to the project as he is still on board as an executive producer. But it must be noted that Derrickson would receive the credited role even if he decided to depart completely since he’s responsible for creating the multiverse universe franchise with Doctor Strange.
If Marvel Studios manages to sign a deal with Sam Raimi by this month, it wouldn’t affect the film’s schedule. The project is expected to begin production at the start of May.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will see Benedict Cumberbatch reprising his titular role and other actors such as Benedict Wong and Chiwetel Ejiofor are also expected to return. Elizabeth Olsen will be appearing in the sequel to reprise as a Scarlet Witch.
Unfortunately, Rachel McAdams won’t be returning to play her role from the first film as Strange’s colleague Christine Palmer.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases on May 7, 2021.
