Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, has shared details regarding the departure of Scott Derrickson as director of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Derrickson, who directed the first Doctor Strange film, was originally signed on to direct the sequel but left the project before filming began. Sam Raimi, best known for directing the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy, was hired to direct the film after Derrickson stepped down.

Derrickson mentioned creative differences as the reason for exiting the film. Feige also cited creative differences in regards to Derrickson. Feige harbors no negative sentiment towards Derrickson. While many rumors imply drama in the change of directors, the reality is that this sort of thing happens in Hollywood all the time. Marvel is a large studio with interconnected films, and creative restrictions are put in place to maintain consistency in this universe of cinema. Since Derrickson’s vision did not align with Marvel’s creative restrictions, he decided to depart from the film. Derrickson and Feige still maintain a professional relationship.

It was not only creative differences that motivated Derrickson’s stepping down as director. Derrickson is currently directing a horror film titled The Black Phone. Derrickson said it was a “hard choice” to choose between the two films, but ultimately chose The Black Phone stating, “Well, I can make this movie that I’m compromising what I wanted to do on, or I could make The Black Phone.”

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases on May 6th, 2022.

Photo credit: Raymond Flotat