Marvel fans are outraged by the studio’s decision to let Scott Derrickson go as director of Doctor Strange 2.
While Derrickson announced that his decision to step down as director of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was “mutual”, fans believe that the development is due to Disney’s unwillingness to venture into the horror genre.
Upon the sequel’s announcement at Comic-Con last July, Derrickson told the crowd that the film would be the Marvel Cinematic universe’s first truly scary film.
Just last week, though, studio president Kevin Feige backtracked on his comments in an interview with Collider.
”I wouldn’t necessarily say that’s a horror film, but it is, as Scott Derrickson has pitched it – it’ll be a big MCU film with scary sequences in it.” he said.
Fans have responded to the news of Derrickson stepping down with derision.
One angry Twitter user wrote: “Wow. Are you serious... Scott Derrickson proposes Doctor Strange 2 to be the MCU’s first scary horror film and now he is stepping down from the project 'due to creative differences', which we all know is the more polite way of saying he was fired. This is so disappointing.”
Another person said the news has made them concerned about the future of the MCU.
“Look, I’ve loved Marvel since I was a kid, I was really looking forward to a more daring and experimental chapter for the MCU’s future. But, hypothetically, if this Doctor Strange news is because they’re too afraid to even make a full horror film, then what’s the point?”
“Genuinely gutted about this,” wrote Max Farrow.
Find a collection of tweets below.
me waiting outside kevin feige’s house until he gives scott derrickson the doctor strange in the multiverse of madness horror movie he promised him pic.twitter.com/nXSlUGZd9N
— 𝓪𝓁𝒾𝒶𝓈 (@itsjustanx) January 10, 2020
Doctor Strange fandom right now. #DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadnesspic.twitter.com/o4PCubff1C
— lichtblickpink (@lichtblickpink) January 10, 2020
Scott Derrickson: So I wanna make Doctor Strange 2 different and unique and a lot more horrorish, will you let me do it?
— Preston Perry (Ty Collins) (@LookThereItsTy) January 10, 2020
Kevin Feige: pic.twitter.com/ieu5eZAPYs
I wanted Scott Derrickson to continue his vision for Doctor Strange. I wanted his take on Strange and Wanda’s dynamic. He’s been talking about wanting to use Nightmare for years, about wanting to bring his horror background to the MCU. It’s a shame we won’t get to see it.
— Carlos A. Morales (@CarlosAlonzoM) January 10, 2020
There is currently no word on who will replace Derrickson when the film begins production in May.
The new film will star Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen, who will reprise the role of Scarlet Witch. Find more details about the studio’s Phase Four here.
