After overseeing the introduction of the Sorcerer Supreme into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with 2016’s Doctor Strange, director Scott Derrickson was all set to reunite with Benedict Cumberbatch on next year’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, only for the filmmaker to exit the project last month due to creative differences with Marvel Studios.
Over the past few days, it has been reported that Evil Dead and Spider-Man helmer Sam Raimi has emerged as Marvel’s top choice to take over director’s chair on the sequel, and now Derrickson has taken to social media to praise Raimi and endorse the filmmaker as his successor:
I’ve worked with Sam Raimi. One of the nicest people I’ve known in the film business, and as a director, a true living legend. What a great choice to take over Doctor Strange.
— N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) February 6, 2020
Marvel is yet to confirm Raimi for In the Multiverse of Madness, although it has been revealed that the studio has enlisted Loki head writer Michael Waldron to work on the script for the sequel ahead of a planned May production start date. Whether the film manages to stick to that schedule given the current situation remains to be seen.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently set open on May 7th 2021, with Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Stephen Strange), Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff), Benedict Wong (Wong) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Mordo) confirmed to feature in the cast.
