Filmmaker Sam Raimi is popularly known for directing Spider-Man trilogy from 2002 to 2007 starring Tobey Maguire and Kristen Dunst. The filmmaker is known for his highly dynamic visual style, inspired by comic books and slapstick comedy. The first Spider-Man upon its release not only received positive reviews from the audience and critics but also managed to gross over $825 million worldwide.
Sam Raimi’s direction was highly appreciated after the movie’s release following which the sequels Spider-Man 2 in 2004 and Spider-Man 3 in 2007 were released. Spider-Man 2 is regarded as one of the greatest superhero movies with the third installment receiving mixed reviews from the audience and the critics. The filmmaker shared that the experience of working on the third installment following the awful reviews made him question his ability to direct another Marvel movie.
Sam Raimi talks about challenges while deciding to return to Marvel and direct Doctor Strange 2
Filmmaker Sam Raimi in a candid conversation with Collider back in 2021 dwelled upon the reason he decided to return to directing a Marvel movie; Doctor Strange 2. Raimi detailed how the reviews that followed after the release of Spider-Man 3 in 2007 affected him,
“I didn’t know that I could face it again because it was so awful, having been the director of Spider-Man 2. The Internet was getting revved up and people disliked that movie and they sure let me know about it. So, it was difficult to take back on. But then I found out that there was an opening on Doctor Strange 2. My agent called me and said, ‘They’re looking for a director at Marvel for this movie and your name came up. Would you be interested?’”
Raimi explained that all he could think at the time was if he could still do it adding that the Marvel movies are demanding but he had always liked the character of Doctor Strange. He noted,
“I love the first movie, I thought director Scott Derrickson did a wonderful job, an incredible job. So, I said ‘Yeah’. They left the character in a great place. I didn’t think I would be doing another superhero movie. It just happened.”
The director added that Scott Derrickson had set up a very strong foundation with great characters and story and visuals with Benedict Cumberbatch but the second part was going to be a new story. He added that he lets his actors improvise because the actors bring what they bring and something thrown at them to respond to live on camera is exciting.
Sam Raimi returned to direct Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness after a 15-year hiatus from the superhero genre.
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Upon his conversation with Fandango via IndieWire, the director at the time was asked if there was a possibility of a fourth Spider-Man movie under his direction to which he said,
“I love Tobey Maguire. I love Kirsten Dunst. I think all things are possible. I don’t really have a story or a plan. I don’t know if Marvel would be interested in that right now. I don’t know what their thoughts are about that. I haven’t really pursued that. But it sounds beautiful.”
During an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the director admitted that if he ever goes back to directing a Spider-Man movie, it would 100% be with Tobey Maguire. He added,
“I love Spider-Man. And I love Tom Holland in the role but if I made a Spider-Man movie, it would probably have to be with Tobey or he’d break my neck.”
Tobey Maguire reprised his Spider-Man for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness received positive reviews grossing over $955.8 million worldwide making it the fourth highest-grossing movie of 2022.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is streaming on Disney+.
