Doctor Strange 2 Eyeing A New Director, As Spider-Man's Sam Raimi In Talks

Doctor Strange 2 has found a new director, it seems. After original director Scott Derrickson dropped out over "creative differences," Marvel is now speaking to Spider-Man director Sam Raimi about directing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, according to Variety.

Raimi directed the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy that began in 2002 and ended with 2007's Spider-Man 3. He later directed Drag Me To Hell and a Wizard of Oz prequel for Disney. Raimi was lined up to direct the Warcraft movie but he eventually dropped out. He criticized Blizzard, saying the company wasted months of work and mismanaged the movie.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is expected to hit theatres on May 7, 2021. Production is slated to begin this May.

Benedict Cumberbatch is returning in the title role, while Benedict Wong (Wong) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Karl Mordo) are returning in their roles as well. Elizabeth Olsen will also feature in the movie as Scarlet Witch.

The 2016 Doctor Strange made $677 million worldwide, and critics enjoyed it.

Derrickson was not the first MCU director to leave or be fired from a project. Edgar Wright was originally set to direct Ant-Man while Patty Jenkins was lined up to direct Thor: The Dark World before exiting. James Gunn was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy 3, but he was later re-hired.