Scott Derrickson is stepping down as director of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness for Marvel Studios. So, what does this mean for the franchise at this point, with filming set to begin soon?
Marvel issued a statement yesterday confirming the director’s departure from Doctor Strange 2. Derrickson remains in an executive producer role for DS2:
“Marvel Studios and Scott Derrickson have amicably parted ways on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences. We remain grateful to Scott for his contributions to the MCU.”
This is a problematic statement, because it’s a move that’s happened only a few time in the history of the MCU. More famously, Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead) left the first Ant-Man film over creative differences with Marvel.
It was a film he was extremely passionate about.
As of the time of this report, filming remains set to begin in May without any forseeble delays. Derrickson directed the first Ant-Man film, along with horror hits such as Sinister, Deliver Us from Evil, and The Exorcism of Emily Rose.
Why did a director that thrives in the horror genre depart Marvel’s first horror film? It might signify that the film doesn’t have enough horror elements to truly be a horror film.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will follow Strange as he tries to save this reality in the wake of the events of Wandavision. Wandavision drops on Disney+ in 2020.
We will keep you up to date on any additional news about this transition.
Doctor Strange 2 hits theaters on May 7, 2021.
[Variety]
