Original Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson recalls the toughest MCU scene to film, which he also calls the most technical of his career.
Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson recalls the single most challenging scene to film in his career, and one of the most ambitious technical feats in all the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Doctor Strange, co-written and directed by Derrickson, released in 2016, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, and Tilda Swinton. Its sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, released last year as part of the Multiverse Saga, in which Derrickson served only as executive producer, with Sam Raimi stepping into the director’s chair after the former departed due to creative differences.
Doctor Strange’s climactic battle against Kaecilius, which is a hugely complex set piece due to Strange’s use of the Eye of Agamotto which contains the Time Stone, was acknowledged by Derrickson as the “most technically challenging scene” of his entire career, and can be seen below:
As a result, there are various elements of the scene that travel backwards in time, and others that travel forwards. On top of this, the Hong Kong backdrop is constantly shifting as Strange reverses the damage caused to the city, eventually resulting in the resurrections of multiple felled buildings. The result is an incredible achievement in technical filmmaking and visual effects.
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Will Derrickson Return To The MCU?
Though Derrickson exited Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness following creative differences, he has previously expressed a willingness to return to the MCU. Having returned to the horror genre since directing Doctor Strange, which included the 2021 surprise hit The Black Phone starring Ethan Hawke, many fans of the first film would be eager for Derrickson to apply his horror touch to the franchise once more following the relatively tepid reception of Raimi’s sequel. However, given that he is set to direct five movies all currently in different stages of development, including a Labyrinth sequel, it is possible that he simply won’t have the time to return for Doctor Strange 3, potentially leaving the door open once more to Raimi.
What We Know About Doctor Strange’s MCU Future
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness did much to set up a direct sequel, with a mid-credits sequence introducing Clea, played by Charlize Theron, who warns him of the incursions he has caused, before opening a portal to the Dark Dimension. Given that this setup seems to directly relate to events related to the multiverse, it would make sense for Doctor Strange 3 to occur within the Multiverse Saga. However, an official confirmation for a third film is yet to be made, so it is currently unknown when exactly Cumberbatch will return as the sorcerer for his own film. However, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, Doctor Strange remains one of the foremost figures in the Multiverse Saga with crucial knowledge that could be pivotal in the coming fight against Kang the Conqueror.
Much of the MCU’s future is presently shrouded in darkness. Several confirmed releases, including another Spider-Man trilogy and Armor Wars, do not yet have dates attached. With rumored delays across the entirety of the Multiverse Saga, which could see the two Avengers films pushed back by at least a year each, it’s possible that the MCU is making room for releases such as a third Doctor Strange, as well as the introduction of new characters before the huge crossover events that are expected with the Avengers films. Unfortunately, until a concrete announcement is made by Marvel Studios, Doctor Strange’s future remains in the dark for now, but viewers should remain hopeful that he will appear in the Multiverse Saga again.
