With Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet to get into full swing, one blow has already been dealt, with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness losing director Scott Derrickson. He helmed the 2016 movie, which introduced mysticism to the MCU, and under his watch Benedict Cumberbatch impressed as Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme. With this news some fans might be panicking due to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness keeping its 2021 premiere date.
After the crucial role played by the Master of the Mystic Arts in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be vital to the future of the MCU, taking the title hero to alternate dimensions. This means there's a lot of pressure on the film to succeed. However, despite Derrickson's departure, all will likely be well with the sequel.
Now, as decent as the first movie was, it wasn't as groundbreaking as a lot of other films in the MCU. As an origin story, it wasn't even near the powerhouse Iron Man was in 2008. Sure, Derrickson gave us a trippy take fans of Steve Ditko would love, but it was a typical Marvel action-comedy with the same jokes rinsed and repeated. Doctor Strange's journey is reminiscent of the one Tony Stark went on: A narcissist is broken and humbled, and reborn as a hero ready to do whatever it takes to save the day.
Cumberbatch was solid and so too was the supporting cast, especially Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo and Benedict Wong as Wong. But there were flaws as well: Mads Mikkelsen's Kaecilius felt drab and forgettable, coming off as one-dimensional; Dormammu was a visual failure and not the intimidating spectacle we wanted; plus Doctor Strange's use of the Time Stone to defeat Dormammu and undo New York's damage felt like a deus ex machina that didn't really make the final act all that interesting. What did also soured the movie was Tilda Swinton's role as the Ancient One, which felt like whitewashing a role that could have gone to an Asian actor. All in all, there were problems that brought the film down to a run-of-the-mill and predictable superhero flick.
Part of the reason for these issues is that Doctor Strange didn't play to Derrickson's horror strengths. His skill in the genre can be seen in movies such as The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Deliver Us From Evil and Sinister. Had there been more horror in Doctor Strange, we could see it being tough to find someone outside of James Wan to evolve or replicate this aesthetic. Because of his strengths not being utilized, Derrickson didn't accomplish anything directors like Peyton Reed, Jon Favreau or even the Russo brothers couldn't handle. It's easy to follow through, again, especially when there's a good lead like Cumberbatch and with Kevin Feige is at the helm.
Plus, Feige always has a long-term plan, so Marvel Studios really just requires someone fit in place and move the needle as needed. This could also provide an opportunity for new blood to come in and truly reinvigorate the franchise, setting it apart from the previous Phases. The Russos did this with The Winter Soldier, altering the landscape of not just the Captain America franchise after the bland First Avenger, but the entire MCU. Taika Waititi course-corrected the Thor franchise with Thor: Ragnarok and made it a space odyssey for Jack Kirby fans to enjoy. Similarly, a fresh director can come in and craft something with their voice, and seeing as this will spin out of Wanda Maximoff's Disney+ series, WandaVision, maybe even a female director could add some nuance.
Either way, there's going to be a way bigger scope and something cosmic in terms of what's needed visually. It'll be a range of worlds, so you'd want a Waititi-like figure at the steering wheel for this. This would evolve the character past being magical Iron Man and truly push the supernatural order of things. This feels like when Kenneth Branagh or Alan Taylor left Thor. That the property wasn't mishandled, but it lacked a certain oomph. Strange's journey deserves that kick and it requires a lot more than someone with just a horror mindset.
Doctor Strange's comics have always been about personal struggle mixed in with spectacle, and while the first film had these, it just felt like Derrickson was sticking to a formula: Damage a would-be-hero, let him lose the love of his life and then rebuild him with her in his heart. Maybe he had something different planned for the follow-up, we'll never know. But as it stands, there's a lot that a new face can bring to the table. Strange will have a very different dynamic with Wanda post-Endgame, and the stakes should be higher so there can be a lot more action now that we know he'll be researching the Time Stone.
After his resurrection in Endgame, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness needs to be a higher-octane affair, so someone else in the director's chair may well be eyeing something more explosive and with even more flair. Only time will tell, but right now, there's no need to worry, because Derrickson won't be hard to replace after his initial movie was just above average, without any distinct signature to it that set it apart from other comic book movies.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen. The film hits theaters on May 7, 2021.