Scott Derrickson Exits ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Director’s Chair

Scott Derrickson will no longer direct Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the sequel to 2016’s Doctor Strange. The director stepping down comes just as production for the film is slated to commence in May.

According to Variety, Derrickson cites “creative differences” as the reason for his exit. The director will remain as one of the movie’s executive producers despite ceding directorial duties. Marvel Studios addressed Derrickson’s departure in a statement. “Marvel Studios and Scott Derrickson have amicably parted ways on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences,” the statement says. “We remain grateful to Scott for his contributions to the MCU.”

With production gearing up soon, it looks like Marvel is keen on maintaining the movie’s tight schedule as they are now searching for a new director for Doctor Strange 2. Derrickson also teased that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be the MCU’s “first scary film” during the Hall H panel in last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, adding that “this twist in horror will have people gripped… We’ll be going back to trying to destroy him a bit.”

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will see Benedict Cumberbatch reprise his role as the titular master of mystic arts. The movie will tie into the Disney+ Marvel series, WandaVision, which will have Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany’s Vision live in an alternate timeline created by the events of Avengers: Endgame. Olsen will also appear in Doctor Strange 2.

May 2020 will have its first Marvel Cinematic Universe movie with Black Widow set to hit theaters. Scarlett Johansson will reprise her role as Natasha Romanoff as the film tackles her beginnings as a former Soviet spy.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premieres on May 7, 2021.