Scott Derrickson is one of the biggest and most recognizable names in Hollywood, as he has contributed heavily to the horror genre. While the filmmaker is primarily known for writing and directing five horror films, he has also worked on other projects.
However, what elevated his status was when he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the decision turned out to be right as he found immense success with Doctor Strange.
While Derrickson found success with the first film, disagreements started to take place when he was selected to direct Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. As a result, he parted ways with the film, and Sam Raini was appointed to direct the film. While Marvel released a statement stating the reason for Scott Derrickson’s departure, he has shared the real reason why he parted ways with the MCU.
Scott Derrickson Unveils The Real Reason For Walking Away From Marvel
While Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, and Xochitl Gomez were outstanding in their respective roles, the sequel felt as interesting to watch as it felt like a horror-influenced superhero film. However, the movie felt quite disappointing to watch, and most of the characters had no development as the story progressed. As a result, the movie felt more like a wizard battle in different dimensions, making it excruciatingly painful to watch.
While appearing on The Playlist’s The Discourse podcast, Scott Derrickson acknowledges what Marvel said in their statement was the truth. However, he elaborates on the real reason that made him walk away from the sequel, stating that when there’s a difference in creative opinion between the creator and the studio, one would “end up with a monstrosity.”
“All I can say is that what we said publicly is exactly the truth. We had real creative differences. You know, the movie I wanted to make and how I wanted to make it was different than–it was just increasingly obvious that we were pulling against each other. And that’s how you make a really bad movie, I think. When the producer or the studio and the filmmaker are making different movies, you end up with a monstrosity and, you know, that’s why I had to bounce.”
While the creative difference made him part ways with Marvel, Scott Derrickson mentioned how he is “still friends with Kevin [Feige], and everything with me and Marvel is really cool.” While the film managed to be commercially successful, the MCU fans were quite disappointed as they felt that the sequel was more focused on Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch rather than Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange.
Scott Derrickson Had an Obsession To Direct a Superhero Film
While Scott Derrickson had already built a successful career through his horror films, he had an obsession to add a superhero film under his name. When one thinks of making a big-budgeted superhero film, the only franchise that one will come to think of is Marvel.
However, the superhero franchise was not too keen on hiring The Gorge director for any of their projects. But, he had set his eyes on the opening for Doctor Strange and came up with an outstanding move to convince Marvel Studios to believe he was the man for the job. And he went out of his way to secure his role as the director of the film.
Derrickson learned that the Marvel Studios had been eyeing Jonathan Levine and Mark Andrews to direct Doctor Strange. However, he came up with an interesting plan to bewitch Marvel Studios. During an exclusive interview with Collider, Scott Derrickson shared how he designed several set pieces and a 12-page version of those scenes to secure him the role.
“I spent a lot more money than was reasonable to get the job. I designed several set pieces… I wrote a 12-page version of that scene, and then storyboarded the whole thing, and then created what’s called an animatic which is a moving storyboard.”
The plan worked as Marvel Studios were convinced that he was the right man for the job, and this stunt worked as the first film was a massive hit, becoming one of the most popular franchises of the MCU.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness can be streamed on Disney+.
