“Spider-Man” director Sam Raimi is returning to the superhero genre and is in talks to direct “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” for Marvel Studios, according to an individual with knowledge of the project.
Scott Derrickson stepped down from directing the sequel last month due to creative differences and will remain as an executive producer of the project. “Marvel Studios and Scott Derrickson have amicably parted ways on ‘Doctor Strange’ in the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences,” Marvel said in a statement to TheWrap. “Derrickson will stay on as an executive producer and we remain grateful to Scott for his contributions to the MCU.”
The film is scheduled to go into production in May. Details of the film are still under wraps, but during the Marvel presentation at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige said the “Doctor Strange” sequel will be “the first scary MCU film.” But, Feige joked “It’s gonna be PG-13 and you’re going to like it!” Up and coming screenwriter Jade Bartlett wrote the latest draft of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” for Marvel Studios.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is set be released on May 7, 2021 and production will start this May.
Raimi began his career as the mastermind behind the cult classic “Evil Dead” horror-comedy franchise, which has produced four films and a television show. He went on to produce shows like “Xena: Warrior Princess” and as a director achieved mainstream success with the 2002-2007 “Spider-Man” trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. The first film set an opening week record with $114 million and the second film is still considered one of the best superhero movies of all time. He most recently directed the 2013 Disney film “Oz Great and Powerful.”
Raimi is repped by CAA.
Marvel had no comment.
Variety first reported the news.