The original co-writer of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness confirms why Scott Derrickson left the Marvel movie. Marvel Studios has established a great reputation for working with directors to create some of the biggest films every year. They've helped bolster the careers of the Russo Brothers, James Gunn, and others, but that doesn't mean that every director hiring has gone smoothly. Patty Jenkins left Thor: The Dark World early on, and Edgar Wright exited Ant-Man shortly before production.

To the surprise of many, Marvel Studios ran into another situation like this with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Scott Derrickson was confirmed to return to the director's chair after successfully helming Doctor Strange in 2016. He repeatedly teased that Nightmare could be the sequel's villain and that it would be more horror-driven, which excited many given his work on prior films like Sinister. However, it was announced at the start of 2020 that he would no longer direct Doctor Strange 2 due to creative differences, and Marvel later hired Sam Raimi to tackle the sequel instead.

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Throughout the long development of Doctor Strange 2, C. Robert Cargill was expected to be involved and flesh out the sequel story details that were teased before. Cargill and Derrickson never got the chance to write an official draft for Doctor Strange 2, but he still knows why Derrickson left. Cargill worked with Derrickson at this time to develop a new horror movie, The Black Phone, which will be Derrickson's next directorial effort. During an interview with Cinema Blend, Cargill explained that Derrickson and Marvel wanted to make two different movies, coupled with Derrickson's interest in directing The Black Phone without compromising on his vision, led to the split. Read what Cargill said below:

It was creative differences. [Scott Derrickson] wanted to do one movie, and Marvel wanted to do another movie. So he sat there and said, 'Well sh*t, I’ve got this great script that I wrote with Cargill, and I’m really proud of.' ... It came down to Scott, and Scott’s like, ‘Well, I can make this movie that I’m compromising what I wanted to do on, or I could make The Black Phone,’ and he goes, ‘You know, I want to make a movie with Cargill. I’m gonna go make The Black Phone.’ It was, as he said publicly, it was a hard choice to leave Strange behind; but it made it easier that he had a movie that he was looking forward to.

The specific creative differences that emerged between Derrickson and Marvel haven't emerged in the time since the announcement, but Cargill has provided some additional clarity here. Some fans have pointed to the possible tension between Derrickson and the studio going back to the San Diego Comic-Con 2019 announcement of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as Derrickson proudly proclaimed it would be Marvel's first horror movie only for Kevin Feige to promptly say that it would only be PG-13. Meanwhile, the addition of Scarlet Witch and America Chavez, as well as some rumors of other sorcerers and multiverse characters, are further creative decisions many have pointed to as examples of what made Derrickson feel like he would be compromising on his vision.

As exciting as it might be now to have Sam Raimi directing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it is still unfortunate that Derrickson and Marvel could not keep their partnership together. Derrickson's plans for the sequel sounded quite exciting and also left many wondering why it took Marvel so long to announce the movie. However, it is better for everyone that Derrickson walked away if he wasn't thrilled with the direction Doctor Strange 2 was taking. Marvel was able to find a suitable replacement who can guide the sequel forward without further creative differences, and Derrickson got the chance to make a movie he was truly passionate about. And with both The Black Phone and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness set for release in early 2022, hopefully both movies are the best they can be.

MORE: Why The MCU's Multiverse May Be Different Than You Think

Source: Cinema Blend

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