Doctor Strange couldn’t conjure a spell strong enough to keep director Scott Derrickson around.
According to the director — complemented by a statement from Marvel — he has left Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness production because of creative differences.
“Marvel and I have mutually agreed to part ways on Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences,” Derrickson said on Twitter. “I am thankful for our collaboration and will remain on as EP.”
While Derrickson directed the first Doctor Strange, he’s more known for his work in the horror genre, where he previously worked on The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister. In that context, it makes his departure a little unexpected, considering Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness was said to lean more heavily on horror.
Leaving over creative differences could mean anything, so it’s hard to nail down where it all went wrong. Whatever happened, Derrickson’s departure isn’t expected to have any effect on the film’s May 7, 2021 release. Now, it’s just a matter of finding a new director.