Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson exits sequel, citing 'creative differences'

Doctor Strange filmmaker Scott Derrickson has announced that he will not be directing the movie’s sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

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

In its own statement, Marvel Studios confirmed that the company and Derrickson “have amicably parted ways on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences. Derrickson will stay on as an executive producer and we remain grateful to Scott for his contributions to the MCU.”

According to Variety, which first reported the news, there are not expected to be any delays in the production of the superhero sequel, which will begin in May. The search for a new director is currently underway, and the film is slated to arrive May 7, 2021.

It was announced at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con that Derrickson would direct Multiverse of Madness, with Benedict Cumberbatch reprising his titular role as the Sorcerer Supreme. At the event, Derrickson teased the sequel as the “first scary MCU film.”

In addition to directing 2016’s Doctor Strange, Derrickson wrote the film with Jon Spaihts and the filmmaker’s longtime writing partner C. Robert Cargill. In the wake of the news about Derrickson’s departure from the sequel, Cargill joked on Twitter that the shooting would soon start on their next collaboration, Cats 2: The Furrening.

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