Doctor Strange 2 Director Drops Out

Director Scott Derrickson announced he and Marvel Studios are splitting up over “creative differences” and that he is stepping down from directing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Derrickson, who directed the first Doctor Strange movie in 2016, and Marvel Studios issued a joint confirmation that he will no longer be directing the planned Doctor Strange sequel. Derrickson tweeted that he will remain as an executive producer on the project. The film is scheduled to be released on May 7, 2021.

Marvel and I have mutually agreed to part ways on Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences. I am thankful for our collaboration and will remain on as EP.

— N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) January 10, 2020

“Marvel Studios and Scott Derrickson have amicably parted ways on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences,” Marvel said in a statement to Variety. “We remain grateful to Scott for his contributions to the MCU.” Before directing Doctor Strange, Derrickson was best known for directing horror movies including Sinister and The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Derrickson’s Doctor Strange movie introduced the character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was praised for its distinct and trippy visuals. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvel-phase-4-official-lineup&captions=true"] When Marvel and Derrickson announced the Doctor Strange sequel the director was quick to emphasize how it would be the MCU’s first “horror” movie. Star Benedict Cumberbatch also talked up how the project was looking to introduce some scares into the MCU. Other parts of the project include how the upcoming Disney+ series Loki and WandaVision would both tie into the Doctor Strange sequel in some way. Marvel also said new characters would make their debuts in the movie as well. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/07/21/marvel-studios-all-of-mcu-phase-4-announced"] It’s unclear where exactly Marvel and Derrickson failed to see eye-to-eye on the Doctor Strange sequel, but it’s not the first time a director parted ways with Marvel over creative differences. Edgar Wright left Ant-Man in 2014 over creative differences and was replaced by Peyton Reed. A search for Derrickson’s replacement has already begun. Read more about Marvel's Phase 4 here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.