For the last couple of weeks, Marvel Studios has been working hard to find a filmmaker to replace Edgar Wright for 2015's Ant-Man, but that's not stopping them from thinking about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While that director search continues, new reports now say that the studio has found the man that they want to make their Doctor Strange film: Scott Derrickson.
This news comes to us from Variety, which adds that talks are still very early but that he is the studio's top pick and should be made official very shortly. We first learned that Derrickson was in the mix all the way back in March when he was mentioned on a shortlist of candidates for the Doctor Strange gig. At the time, other filmmakers being considered were Jonathan Levine, the director of 50/50 and Warm Bodies, and Mark Andrews, the co-director of Brave. Apparently the last few months at Marvel have been spent choosing between these guys and Derrickson's name was the one that ended up being on top.
Should the deal be closed, Doctor Strange will prove to be Derrickson's second big blockbuster following 2008's remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still. He is best known for his work in the horror genre, however, having previously made both 2005's The Exorcism of Emily Rose and 2012's Sinister. His latest feature, the supernatural thriller Deliver Us From Evil starring Eric Bana, is coming out in less than a month, arriving in theaters on July 2nd.
For those unfamiliar with the comic book character, Doctor Strange was an arrogant, masterful neurosurgeon who completely destroyed his hands in a car accident. With his life seemingly ruined as a result, Strange began to search the world over for some kind of miracle cure that could repair him. In the Himalayas he discovers a hermit known as the Ancient One, and under his tutelage he becomes a master of magic and a force for good in the world. The character was directly referenced as being a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige promised all the way back in January 2013 that a Doctor Strange movie would be a part of the company's Phase Three plans.
As Variety notes, the search is now on to find an actor to play the titular role, though at this time there is no current front-runner. But you know what that means: it's speculation time! Hit the comments to tell us what you think about Derrickson's possible hiring and let us know who you think should play Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Update! Scott Derrickson has confirmed his involvement with Doctor Strange movie with a Tweet!
