Exclusive: Scott Derrickson talks Doctor Strange and fan reaction

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

I literally just got off the phone with Scott Derrickson, who is promoting his upcoming horror film DELIVER US FROM EVIL. Naturally, I had to bring up that little movie he’s working on called DOCTOR STRANGE for Marvel. Just as naturally, he’s practically unable to say anything about it.

But… I did get Mr. Derrickson to talk just a little bit about what the experience has been like thus far, in terms of his excitement for the material, as well as the fan reaction. It’s quite obvious that he’s excited to be playing in the Marvel world, and with this character in particular.

On whether or not his life has changed since the initial announcement:

The only thing that’s changed is my number of Twitter followers. [Laughs] Otherwise everything is pretty much the same.

On his relationship to the Doctor Strange comics and character:

I think when you consider the work that I’ve done it makes sense that he’d be my favorite comic book character, at least in the Marvel universe. Probably the only comic character in that mainstream world that I’m suited to. I feel such an affinity for the character and the story and the ambition of those comics, especially the original Stan Lee and Steve Ditko “Strange Tales” – I think those are my favorite of all of them. The entire history of the comics is extraordinary.

On going after the project:

I wanted it really bad. More than any other project that I’ve gone after, I felt compelled to do everything in my power to get on that project. Genuinely felt like I was the right guy to do it.

On the world being ready for a DOCTOR STRANGE movie and fan reaction thus far:

I think the nicest surprise for me, the most unexpected surprise, is the positive reaction. Both to me getting the film – I guess I expected the detractors, and they just haven’t been there, it’s all been quite positive. More than that, it’s just the general enthusiasm for Doctor Strange. I think people who know the comic world and the Marvel universe, they all feel the same way I do, which is, “This is the Marvel movie we’re all ready to see now.” This movie needs to exist. The outpouring of excitement that people have shown is the thing I’ve been most pleasantly surprised.

Admirably, Scott dodged every other question I had about the film, including whether or not he had an actor in mind (“Can’t talk about that, but I understand that you have to ask!”) and if it will have a more horror-skewing tone than other Marvel films (“We’ll see!”) Can’t blame a guy for trying, and Scott was very gracious and patient with my scoop-seeking ways.

Look for DELIVER US FROM EVIL on July 2 and DOCTOR STRANGE… at some point in the future.