Marvel Studios' Ant-Man may be without a director and still planned for release next year, but that hasn't stopped development on the other films that the Disney-owned company has slated for its "Phase 3" lineup. According to Variety and other sources, horror director Scott Derrickson has been tapped to help finally bring Doctor Strange to the big-screen. "Negotiations are still early," reveals trade magazine, "but sources say he is Marvel's choice and deal should be struck shortly." Derrickson's directing credits include Hellraiser: Inferno (2000), The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005), The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), and Sinister (2012), with Deliver Us From Evil set to hit theaters next month. Even though the filmmaker also co-wrote those horror flicks, The Hollywood Reporter suggests not only that Marvel Studios is still seeking a writer to rewrite the Doctor Strange script, but also that Kung Fu Panda duo screenwriters Jon Aibel and Glenn Berger are still in the mix.
While Scott Derrickson was the last to be revealed as a contender, the director was selected over Mark Andrews (Brave), Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair), Dean Israelite (Welcome to Yesterday), and Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies), among many others whom Marvel Studios president of production Kevin Feige confirmed meeting back when he was promoting Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
For years, Kevin Feige has expressed interest in bringing Doctor Stephen Strange to the silver-screen, and finally introducing the Socerer Supreme's magic into Marvel's Cinematic Universe. The producer even allowed a direct reference to the character in Captain America: The Winter Soldier which was thought up by directors Joe and Anthony Russo. Anyhow, expect Marvel to officially announce Doctor Strange at San Diego Comic-Con next month, if not sooner. And given that Disney has 2 untitled Marvel Studios flicks, after Captain America 3, scheduled for release on July 8, 2016 and May 5, 2017, the Socerer Supreme will likely get the former date. What do you think?