The director, Scott Derrickson, of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will quit Marvel Studios, tweeted Derrickson on January 10. In a statement, the studio has cited "creative differences" as the reason for Derrickson's departure.
"Marvel Studios and Scott 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 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)," the statement read. Derrickson also confirmed the shocking news on his Twitter account.
Derrickson, who oversaw the first "Doctor Strange," will remain as an executive producer. "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) executive producer," he tweeted.
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 â‹Š Ɔ I á´š á´š ÆŽ á—¡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) January 10, 2020
The movie Doctor Strange featuring British actor Benedict Cumberbatch as the superhero, sequel to 2016's Doctor Strange, is scheduled to release on May 7, 2021. The search for a replacement is currently underway and the studio plans to start the production in May while they are not expecting any delays when it comes to shooting the film.
Twitter reacted to the fallout
Scott Derrickson: Hey I wanna make Doctor Strange 2 kind of unique and not like literally every other Marvel movie
— Salt (@realsalt_) January 10, 2020
Kevin Feige: pic.twitter.com/2L53VZ3C5g
I wonder if this is over the rating.
— The Brandalorian (@BrandonDavisBD) January 10, 2020
At #SDCC, Scott Derrickson was super excited to emphasize that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness would be a "scary" Marvel movie. Feige immediately interjected and said, "It's gonna be PG-13 and you're gonna like it."
Hmm...
Wow. Are you serious... Scott Derrickson proposes DOCTOR STRANGE 2 to be the MCU's first scary horror film & now he is stepping down from the project "due to creative differences", which we all know is the more polite way of saying he was fired.
— Jesabel (@JesabelRaay) January 10, 2020
This is so disappointing.
Scott Derrickson: I'm gonna make Doctor Strange 2 the first horror movie in the MCU
— Kelvin Mendez (@KelvinUMendez) January 10, 2020
Kevin Feige: Well...not really
Scott: pic.twitter.com/qaP30ZzOp0
"Doctor Strange" was a commercial success and got positive reviews from the Marvel fans when it opened in 2016, grossing nearly $680 million globally. The sequel will find Benedict Cumberbatch returning as Strange, a master of mystic arts. Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Scarlet Witch, is also expected to appear in the film.
"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" is scheduled for release on May 7, 2021. Derrickson's credits include "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and "Sinister." Marvel has several films slated to hit theatres before Doctor Strange conjures up his return to the big screen. In February 2021, Marvel will unveil "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," its first Asian-led film.
