It has been a major news week for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, with reports surfacing that acclaimed filmmaker Sam Raimi was in talks with Marvel Studios to replace original director Scott Derrickson on the project.Derrickson, who left the project over unspecified creative differences last month, has since commented on the reports publicly. Lauding Raimi for his pleasant demeanor and work as a director, Derrickson gave Raimi his personal seal of approval should he replace him.
Raimi broke into the Hollywood mainstream as the writer and director of the original Evil Dead trilogy, branching into producing before helming the original Spider-Man movie trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. In addition to his extensive work on film, Raimi is also a prolific television producer, having developed Xena: Warrior Princess, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena and Ash vs. the Evil Dead for television.
Raimi's hiring by Marvel Studios is still unconfirmed. Derrickson -- who directed and co-wrote the original 2016 film -- will remain attached to the Doctor Strange sequel as an executive producer.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen. The film hits theaters May 7, 2021.