Sam Raimi Will Direct Doctor Strange 2!

MCU fans were disappointed to hear the news that Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson had parted ways with Marvel over creative differences last month, but it appears as though the studio has already moved on. Despite worries over whether or not Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness would be as scary as was originally touted, Marvel have gone ahead and tapped horror legend Sam Raimi to direct the sequel, which will release May 7, 2021.

According to Variety, Raimi has replaced Derrickson - who will now be an executive producer - and will direct the film when production commences this May. It is the first time Raimi has helmed a comic book film since 2007's Spider-Man 3, which was supposedly the subject of studio interference from Sony. Raimi has only directed two films since, 2009's Drag Me to Hell, and 2013's Oz the Great and Powerful.

Either way, news of Raimi's involvement in the Doctor Strange sequel represents a change in approach from Marvel, who have generally avoided hiring established directors for their films. Be that as it may, Raimi is obviously a natural fit for the Strange sequel, given his affinity for horror and for Silver Age Marvel, as was displayed in the Evil Dead series and in his Spider-Man trilogy respectively.

More attentive Marvel fans may also remember how the director planted a sneaky reference to the Sorcerer Supreme in 2004's Spider-Man 2, when J. Jonah Jameson and the rest of the Daily Bugle start pitching supervillain names for Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus.

What a time to be alive.

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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases May 7, 2021. Let us know how you feel about Raimi's involvement down in the comments below!