The planned director of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Scott Derrickson, has dropped out of Marvel’s upcoming sequel film. Although the movie isn’t set to release until 2021, Benedict Cumberbatch’s previous portrayal of Doctor Strange was enjoyable enough that many fans have been looking forward to the character’s next solo film with much anticipation, citing his inclusion in both Avengers: Infinity War and (to a lesser extent) Avengers: Endgame as some of the more visually entertaining parts of those movies.

Rumored to feature a Marvel Comics character the studio always wanted to use and also somehow tie into the upcoming Disney+ series Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is surely a massive film to both oversee and direct, especially since Marvel likely has additional plans for how certain plot points should dictate future events in their cinematic universe. If Marvel’s blueprint for their Phase Four films is anything like their previous ones, there is surely an overarching endgame, no pun intended, that the studio is aiming for, and not everyone will always agree on how to get there.

According to the director himself in a recent message posted to Twitter, Scott Derrickson will be stepping down as director for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, citing creative differences with the studio. Derrickson will not be leaving the project entirely, however, and will stay on as an executive producer. You can read his short statement in full below:

In a statement to Variety, a spokesperson for Marvel Studios said the company has “amicably parted ways” with Derrickson due to these creative differences, but that they “remain grateful to Scott for his contributions to the MCU.” At the moment, it remains unclear as to just what exactly these creative differences are, or if any of the contributions Derrickson made will find their way into the final version of the film.

This isn’t the first Marvel movie to lose a director before the film they were attached to even begins shooting, but it is unlikely Derrickson will be re-hired by Marvel like James Gunn was before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness begins shooting later this year. It remains to be seen whether Marvel will bring in one of their veteran series directors to complete the project or add in another new talent, but whoever joins will likely wonder just how creative they are allowed to be with the property. Thankfully, since filming for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hasn’t started yet, there’s no reason for a #ReleaseTheDerricksonCut trend to start this time.

Next: Doctor Strange 2 Isn’t REALLY A Horror Movie, Kevin Feige Clarifies

Sources: Twitter,Variety

  • Doctor Strange 2 Release Date: 2022-05-06 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Release Date: 2022-11-11 New Mutants Release Date: 2020-08-28 Black Widow Release Date: 2021-07-09 The Eternals Release Date: 2021-11-05 Shang Chi Release Date: 2021-09-03 Thor: Love and Thunder Release Date: 2022-07-08