Doctor Strange in the Multiverse is a film that's been a long time coming. Benedict Cumberbatch's leading sorcerer hasn't had a solo movie since his debut in 2016. Since then, he's played a part in other ensemble films such as Avengers: Infinity War, Endgame, Spider-Man: No Way Home. His moment to finally take on the limelight is at hand as he is forced to try to keep the Multiverse from being destroyed—how hard could it be?
Sadly for fans of the first film, the original director, Scott Derrickson, won't be returning this time around. He was originally slated to direct Multiverse of Madness, but creative differences got the best of everyone involved. While he remains positive about Marvel Studios and his time there, Strange's sequel is left in the hands of a new director: Sam Raimi.
When Raimi was announced, many were surprised. The man who directed the first three Spider-Man films is not someone fans were expecting to take over the mystic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, even with a Doctor Strange Easter Egg in 2004's Spider-Man 2.
Now, one of the producers of Multiverse of Madness has spoken out about how the film will absolutely feel like a Raimi production, so fans don’t need to worry.
The Strange Sam Raimi Movie
In the Spring 2022 issue of Disney's D23 Magazine obtained by The Direct, Marvel Studios producer Richie Palmer talked about working with Sam Raimi, the director of Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness.
Palmer exclaimed how Raimi is “one of the godfathers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” and that “there is no one with better instincts:”
"To have Sam Raimi working on this movie is an insane dream come true for all of us… He's one of the godfathers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For him to pick up the Doctor Strange story after a Spider-Man movie that has Multiversal ties was really exciting for us. There is no one with better instincts. Whether it's sci-fi, horror, comedy, or romance, Sam is the master.”
The producer continued on, saying how the 62-year-old director is “the perfect man for the job:”
“When it comes to a movie like this, where we're incorporating a bunch of different genres, he’s the perfect man for the job, and that's not even getting to how well he works with a camera or that he's the master of suspense in his own right. We're really leaning into those 'Sam Raimi' qualities and making this a truly Sam Raimi movie.”
Doctor Strange Meets Raimi
Fans love Sam Raimi for his very particular style and the way his films feel. One of his most iconic, outside of the Spider-Man franchise, was the Evil Dead trilogy; given those zombie Doctor Strange shots, there’s likely to be some clear influences in his next movie.
It also helps that the project is focused on the Multiverse, which allows the creative team to do literally anything it wants. From cameos to weird monsters—there’s no limit to what the story can give audiences.
Add on how the film is set to lean into the horror aspects of it all, and Raimi is going to be right at home. Sure, with it being a Marvel Studios film, it can’t be pure R-Rated horror (yet), but there’s no doubt the director’s zaniness will be in full effect.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on May 6 later this year.
