Mind-Bending Revelations: Daring Insights from Doctor Strange 2's Original Director on Exiting the Multiverse of Madness

Summary

Sam Raimi replaces Scott Derrickson as Director for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, following creative differences with Marvel Studios. The transition is amicable and there are no negative feelings between the parties involved.

Derrickson had a vision for the sequel - to create a genuinely terrifying horror film that would be a significant departure from the first one. However, Marvel Studios decided to take a different route by opting for a lighter tone and giving emphasis to Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch character as the primary villain.

Derrickson's initial ideas for the film involved introducing the character Nightmare as the antagonist and delving deeper into Doctor Strange's background. Additionally, the concept of the multiverse would have been further explored, with Strange venturing into various alternate realities. This darker and more intense exploration of the story might have resonated more strongly with fans.

Scott Derrickson has clarified that there is no animosity between him, Marvel Studios, and Sam Raimi after he departed from directing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. While Derrickson envisioned a genuine horror film and a departure from the first movie, Marvel Studios opted for a lighter tone and focused more on Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch as the villain. Despite the creative differences, both Derrickson and Marvel Studios expressed gratitude for their collaboration.

The truth is, we had genuine creative differences. My vision for the movie and how I wanted to execute it clashed with the producer or studio's ideas. It became clear that we were heading in opposite directions, resulting in a disastrous film. That's why I had to step away. However, I attended the premiere and maintained a friendly relationship with Kevin (Feige) and Marvel. They even extended an invitation to me, which I accepted. I also have a great friendship with Sam (Raimi), so there are no hard feelings regarding the situation.

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What Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange 2 Would Have Been Like

Details about Scott Derrickson's original plans for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness have been unveiled through concept art. The initial concept focused on a different villain and aimed to provide a deeper understanding of Doctor Strange's backstory in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Elizabeth Olsen had already committed to being part of Multiverse of Madness before Derrickson's departure, the main antagonist would have been Nightmare, the powerful ruler of Marvel Comics' Dream Dimension. Considering that Doctor Strange previously confronted Dormammu, the ruler of the Dark Dimension, in the 2016 film, it would have been a fantastic opportunity for Strange to have a face-off with Nightmare in the sequel. Additionally, it seems that both Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch would have joined forces in order to confront this formidable foe.

The original Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness would have featured the tragic childhood death of Strange's sister, Donna, in the Wendigo Forest. This event was mentioned in Raimi's version of the film. Additionally, the multiverse would have been extensively explored, with Strange embarking on journeys to various new realities, delving deeper into the dark and otherworldly multiverse that was glimpsed in the first film. While Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness received a mixed response, Derrickson's gritty examination of Strange's character and the MCU's multiverse as a whole may have been more well-received.