Things are continuing to get interesting when it comes to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. We recently learned that director Scott Derrickson walked away from the project, paving the way for Spider-Man director Sam Raimi to step in and take over. Now, we have some new, intriguing details that shine a light on what is and has been going on behind the scenes. 

 

First off, we have word from The Hollywood Reporter that Michael Waldron has been tapped to pen the screenplay for Doctor Strange 2. Waldron, interestingly, is also the head writer of the upcoming Loki series. Clearly, the folks at Marvel Studios like what he’s contributed to the MCU so far and are giving him a big task next. Jade Bartlett was listed as a previous writer on the project. 

 

Aside from that, we have another intriguing element to the story, which comes from screenwriter C. Robert Cargill. Scott Derrickson and Cargill are close friends and collaborators who were set to team-up once again for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, taking to Twitter, Cargill revealed, rather surprisingly, that the two of them had yet to write a draft of the screenplay before Derrickson walked away from the gig. 

Since it keeps coming up in news stories, it's worth noting that Scott and I never had the opportunity to write a draft of MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS, so whatever they are working with now isn't derivative of our work.

I am of course very excited to see where they take Stephen next.

— C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) February 8, 2020

“Since it keeps coming up in news stories, it’s worth noting that Scott and I never had the opportunity to write a draft of MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS, so whatever they are working with now isn’t derivative of our work. I am of course very excited to see where they take Stephen next,” Cargill said. This is particularly surprising, given that production is scheduled to begin in February. Especially considering that the project was announced last summer during San Diego Comic-Con. 

 

This all paints a blurry picture. What we know is that Derrickson was aiming to make the first “scary” MCU movie. It’s been suggested that he wanted to push the horror further than Marvel was comfortable with, but that has yet to be confirmed. What we know for sure is that Benedict Cumberbatch will be returning as the Sorcerer Supreme, with Elizabeth Olsen set to star alongside him as Scarlet Witch. The movie will tie-in directly with the upcoming Disney+ series WandaVision. 

 

Here is the synopsis for Doctor Strange. 

 

“Dr. Stephen Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing, and hope, in a mysterious enclave. He quickly learns that the enclave is at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying reality. Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.” 

 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set to hit theaters on May 7, 2021. 

 

So what do you think? Are you worried about Doctor Strange 2? Do you wish Scott Derrickson had stayed on board? Or do you think things will work out for the better? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!