Scott Derrickson Will Direct Doctor Strange Film For Marvel Studios

Scott Derrickson has signed on to direct Doctor Strange for Marvel Studios, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Derrickson is primarily known for his work writing and directing horror films, including Sinister, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, and the upcoming Deliver Us from Evil. He also directed 20th Century Fox's remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still. Perhaps Derrickson's experience in the horror genre suggests a dark tone for the Doctor Strange movie. Doctor Strange has long been floating in the nebulous grey area between "rumored" and "officially confirmed," with Marvel Studios executives like Kevin Feige admitting that is was being considered but stopping short of confirming that it was in any official state of pre-production. With Derrickson lined up to direct, the film is now seeking a writers. Glenn Berger and Jon Aibel, the writing team behind Kung Fu Panda, are rumored to be prime contenders. Doctor Stephen Strange is a character created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1963, making his first appearance in Strange Tales #110. A brilliant neurosurgeon who suffers permanent injury to his hands in an accident, he abandons his medical career and becomes the Marvel Universe's "Sorcerer Supreme." No release date has been named, but Doctor Strange will most likely be released during Phase 3 of Marvel's Cinematic Universe, between the releases of Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers 3. The film will likely bring the MCU deeper into the mystical side of the Marvel Universe than it has delved so far.