Huge Doctor Strange 2 shock! Director Scott Derrickson announces departure

Scott Derrickson has left Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, revealing on Twitter that he has departed the project but will remain on as executive producer.

Marvel loves to take chances with its franchises and getting Scott Derrickson on board - a renowned horror movie director - to make a family friendly Doctor Strange was one of its biggest. Yet it paid off with a brilliant, beautiful, barmy movie that was unlike anything else in the MCU.

It was a big success critically and commercially so many were excited to see Derrickson back for the sequel. But this is no longer the case, with him revealing on Twitter that he has left Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness due to the age-old "creative differences".

Marvel and I have mutually agreed to part ways on Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences. I am thankful for our collaboration and will remain on as EP.
— N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) January 10, 2020

All is not lost. He is still on board as executive producer but this is a massive blow to the MCU. The news is reminiscent of when Edgar Wright left Ant-Man, a franchise he practically forced Marvel to make, thanks to his enthusiasm and vision. The movie we got was fine, mainly due to the fantastic Paul Rudd, but by the numbers.

Let's hope that doesn't happen to Doctor Strange 2. But it will be hard to replace Derrickson, who had/has such a passion for the project.

In 2019, he exclusively spoke to ShortList about his favourite-ever Marvel moment and it was, you've guessed it, Doctor Strange. It was when in 1968 Pink Floyd borrowed Marie Severin’s Doctor Strange artwork for the cover of their psychotropic second album Saucerful of Secrets.

That cover brought Doctor Strange to the mainstream. Arguably, Derrickson's movie made the character more popular than ever.

Without Derrickson it will be Strange days ahead, indeed, for the MCU and this pillar of the franchise.

• The best Marvel movies, ranked: did your favourite Marvel film make the list?