“DOCTOR STRANGE” Director OK with SAM RAIMI Directing 2021 SEQUEL

“Doctor Strange” from Marvel Studios in 2016 did a great deal in dispelling the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise as a setting where only high tech and sci-fi stuff exists with the exception of magic. It served as a great origin story for the Master of the Mystic Arts portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, showcasing the power wielded by surgeon-turned-sorcerer Stephen Strange. This was under the direction of Scott Derrickson, who was originally assigned to oversee the sequel “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Creative differences with Marvel Studios led to him walking, but he has an idea for a director who can take his place.

According to IGN, Scott Derrickson is all for having Sam Raimi take over directing Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” for him. The director of the first “Doctor Strange” film starring Benedict Cumberbatch went on his official Twitter page to give his two cents following news that Marvel Studios is in negotiation with Raimi about the sequel adventure of Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme. On his post, Derrickson noted that he has worked with Raimi before, and owing to his opinion that the latter is a “living legend,” supports the possibility of Raimi confirmed to direct “Multiverse of Madness.”

Sam Raimi came to prominence as the director of the “Evil Dead” horror franchise from the 1980s (including 1992’s “Army of Darkness”) as well as western action-drama “The Quick and the Dead.” But Marvel fans know him better for directing the original Sony-Columbia Pictures “Spider-Man” trilogy with Tobey Maguire as the Friendly Neighborhood wall-crawling superhero. That was the last time he directed anything of the superhero genre, but “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Darkness” is being described by Marvel Studios as a superhero horror film. That would mean he is perfect for the role.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” will be part of the MCU franchise’s current Phase 4. While Benedict Cumbertach will return, Rachel McAdams who portrays his love interest Christine Palmer will not. He will however be joined by Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, who will come into the storyline directly from her Disney+ series tie-in to the MCU, “WandaVision.” Scott Derrickson also remains an executive producer for the film which premieres on May 2021.

Image courtesy of Jo Blo