Scott Derrickson

The Merry Marvel Holiday giving continues with another gift.  Scott Derrickson has quietly signed on to return for the sequel to ‘Doctor Strange’ after having directed and co-written the first installment.  It’s possible that Derrickson will contribute to the screenplay for the sequel, but at this time, word is that Disney is now seeking another writer to handle get it started.

According to a report by the Hollywood ReporterBenedict Cumberbatch, who starred as Stephen Strange, and Benedict Wong who portrayed his ally Wong, will return with Rachel McAdams “likely to return” as Christine Palmer, Strange’s fellow surgeon and love interest.  There was no mention of Chiwetel Ejiofor, who portrayed Strange’s fellow sorcerer Mordo, who was set up as a potential rival or villain in the first movie.

It is hoped that the script can be completed in 2019, with an eye on production beginning in spring of 2020 in order to teleport into theaters in May of 2021.  That’s almost a hefty five years after the first movie arrived in 2016, but it is likely that at least Cumberbatch will appear in a Marvel movie before that.

Cumberbatch and Wong both appeared in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and at least Doctor Strange is expected to appear in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ this coming April.

Derrickson hasn’t directed another film after ‘Doctor Strange’, but did helm the pilot for ‘Snowpiercer’ for TNT but parted ways when the network wanted alterations and reshoots.  He has two other movies lined up, a sci-fi thriller ‘When Gravity Fails’ and a ghost story ‘Two Eyes Staring’.  It’s possible he could tackle one or even both of these before ‘Doctor Strange 2’ is ready to film in 2020.  He is also working on adapting the horror novel ‘Kill Creek’ into a TV series for Showtime.

Cumberbatch recently starred on the Showtime miniseries ‘Patrick Melrose’ and voiced the title character in the current box office champ ‘The Grinch’.  His voice will also be heard as Shere Khan in the film ‘Mowgli’ on Netflix.  Wong will be seen in the upcoming Syfy series ‘Deadly Class’ and next fall in the sci-fi action movie ‘Gemini Man’ alongside Will Smith, Clive Owen, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.  McAdams was seen earlier this year in the hit comedy ‘Game Night’ and is attached to star in a third ‘Sherlock Holmes’ movie, with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.

Are you excited that movement has begun in bringing a second ‘Doctor Strange’ movie to the big screen?