After a strong debut in his 2016 solo filmDoctor Strange, the eponymous sorcerer quickly became one of the most beloved characters in the MCU. The director of that film,Scott Derrickson, was initially set to return for the sequel,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, due to creative differences with Marvel Studios, he stepped down from the project and was replaced by Sam Raimi. The final product satisfied fans, but there were also many who would have preferred to have had Derrickson’s vision realized.
Marvel Studios has already begun planningDoctor Strange 3, and it hasn’t been made clear yet who will be helming the sequel. Raimi could potentially return; however, it’s also possible there will be someone new in the director’s chair. It could even be a returning director in Derrickson, who, after all, was the one whostarted Stephen Strange’s journeyin the MCU. Whether Derrickson should return is still debatable, but there are a few reasons why he might be a good fit forDoctor Strange 3.
Update June 01, 2025: This article has been updated by Adam Ghelerter with more information regarding the future of Doctor Strange and Scott Derrickson in the MCU.
Multiverse of Madness Didn’t Exactly Meet Expectations
Coming off the overwhelming success of The Infinity Saga andSpider-Man: No Way Home, expectations were set ridiculously high for Doctor Strange’s next appearance. With a title likeDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessand the film being part of The Multiverse Saga, fan anticipation was through the roof. When the film came out, it received positive reviews from both audiences and critics. But while people generally enjoyed the film, there didn’t seem to be many that would go so far as to say that the film was great. Keep in mind: this wasn’t just the experience of thoselet down by the filmnot validating their fan theories, but the experience of a sizable amount of Marvel fans.
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For a film titledDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Doctor Strange really did not get to do much in other universes. The film revolved around a Darkhold-influenced Wanda going on a murderous rampage to get to America Chavez. Unfortunately, the actual exploration of the Multiverse felt like an afterthought. That year’sEverything Everywhere All at Onceshowed just how wild and captivating a multiverse can be, and the Multiverse inDoctor Strange 2,in comparison, felt relatively tame. Earth-838 was the primary universe featured inMultiverse of Madness, but its defining trait, aside from having a different roster of heroes, was having green lights mean stop and red lights mean go.
Raimi was hired to bring his signature style to the MCU, and on that front,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessdefinitely succeeded. But as for the actual storytelling, 2016’sDoctor Strangewas arguably much more confident and aware of what it wanted to be.
Scott Derrickson Is an Excellent Director (and Wants to Return)
DepartingDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Derrickson turned his attention to directingThe Black Phone, using a screenplay he co-wrote withDoctor Strangeco-writer C. Robert Cargill. LikeMultiverse of Madness,The Black Phonefeatured elements of horror, although, of course, it was a much darker film than superhero fare.The Black Phonewas a major success, receiving praise for Derrickson’s direction and script, themes, characters, and ability to generate constant suspense.The Black Phonewas released in the same summer asDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, opening just one month later.
Both Raimi and Derrickson are film directors who have had their roots in horror. Whether it was by coincidence or it was by fate, both wereDoctor Strangefans drawn to the gothic and the horror of the sorcerer’s world. It’s not known how deep Marvel wants to move into that genre, butDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessandWerewolf by Nightshowed that they can sometimes go a bit darker with their storytelling.
Scott Derrickson Hints Toward the Direction of His Future Projects
The Black Phone director has a full plate of work in the immediate future.
Derrickson has already proved that he can play in a larger sandbox with the firstDoctor Strangefilm, which was the only film centering on the character before the release ofAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame. Derrickson referred to the decision to leave Multiverse of Madness asthe “hardest decision"of his career, but he has been on the record for saying that heloved working with Marveland “would absolutely do it again.” With Derrickson’s positive working relationship with Marvel and his desire to getDoctor Strangeright, perhaps he should be given a second chance to work with the Masters of the Mystic Arts.
The Original Plans for Doctor Strange 2
It has always been fun to reflect on what could have been, andDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessis no exception. Screenwriter Michael Waldron revealed onAssembled: The Making of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessthat Wanda would not have been a villain until the film’s end. The main antagonist in Derrickson’s script was the Marvel Comics supervillain, Nightmare (viaTwitter), which would have connected nicely toMultiverse of Madness’s dreamwalking sequences. The film was set to explore more of Strange’s backstory, exploring his unresolved trauma of losing his sister, which was a deleted aspect of the first film and was referenced briefly inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Concept art revealed that the Book of Vishanti would have attached itself to the Eye of Agamatto (viaTwitter). More concept art revealed “Melvyn Strange,” a variant of Strange without magic that still worked as a street magician. In 2017, Derrickson teased the debut of Clea (viaCBR), who in the final version of the film, only appeared in a mid-credits scene. There were many rumors that Rachel McAdams' Christine Palmer was not going to return, which was likely true before Raimi was brought on and a new script was written.
What Does The Future Hold for Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessmid-credit scene showed Doctor Strange and Clea (Charlize Theron) stepping through a portal to deal with an incusion, which is a result of two universes colliding and resulting in the destruction of both worlds.Incursion events are a significant part of the storyline “Time Runs Out” in Marvel Comics, which led to the 2015 event,Secret Wars. The sixthAvengersfilm is titledAvengers: Secret Wars, and that film will conclude Phase 6 and the now dubbed Multiverse Saga. With incursion events, it is clear that is the story they are building up to.
How Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Teases Future MCU Stories
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hinted at many future storylines from the MCU to new teams and a possible ending for the franchise.
WhileDoctor Strange 3is not officially confirmed, given the cliffhanger ending of the second film and the almost $1 billion gross ofDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it is safe to assume a thirdDoctor Strangemovie will be released beforeAvengers: Secret Wars. There are three dates in 2026: February 13, July 24, and November 6 for untitled movies that a thirdDoctor Strangemovie could easily fit into and would be right beforeAvengers: Secret Warson June 12, 2025. Based on the ending of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the movie could be drawing from the “Time Runs” out story. Yet that does beg the question: would Derrickson want to return to direct the film?
Should Scott Derrickson Return?
While Derrickson has expressed interest in returning,the MCU track record for filmmakers returning is non-existent. Once a director leaves a franchise, they do not come back. While Jon Favreau continued to reprise his role as Happy Hogan in front of the camera, he did not direct another Marvel movie afterIron Man 2. Kenneth Branagh and Joe Jonhston did not return for theThororCaptain Americasequels, respectively.
The closest is the Russo Brothers, but they jumped franchises. They went fromCaptain America: The Winter SoldierandCaptain America: Civil WartoAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame. While the duo hinted they would like to return to the MCU someday, that does not seem likely. While filmmakers like James Gunn, Jon Watts, and Peyton Reed finished out theGuardians of the Galaxy,Spider-Man, andAnt-Manfilm series, when a franchise changes directors, Marvel tends to look forward instead of backward. They tend to want new creative voices for their projects, similar to new artists and writers taking on a comic book run.
This likely means thatDoctor Strange 3will either be directed by Sam Raimi or Marvel will bring on another director. Yet maybe Scott Derrickson will break the mold and mark the return of a filmmaker to a franchise. But given everything that will be required of a thirdDoctor Strangemovie, it is not likely to be a standalone project like Derrickson would want, and he would have to answer more notes, so he may want to focus on original projects.
