Sam Raimi directed, what I think, is still one of the best (if not the best) comic-book film to date with SPIDER-MAN 2. It was fun, emotional, and even had time for some great EVIL DEAD-esque horror in it.
And while I enjoyed the original DOCTOR STRANGE film, I thought its imaginative visuals and the mind-bending concepts it introduced were hamstrung by the somewhat rote origin story and standard superhero film structure. It's why I – like everyone – was excited when after original director Scott Derrickson left the project due to "creative differences" that it was rumored Kevin Feige was reaching out to Raimi for the sequel. Not only was it exciting because of the fact that Raimi is known for directing arguably the best superhero sequel, but also he could go bug-nuts with the visuals. It's even better when remembering that DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS is supposedly going to be the first Marvel horror film, which is how Raimi got started in the film business in the first place with his classic EVIL DEAD series.
Anyway, in an interview (full interview coming soon) with multiple journalists over a conference call about Raimi's Quibi horror anthology series 50 STATES OF FRIGHT (READ OUR REVIEW HERE), Arrow in the Heads's very own Lance Vlcek got the scoop about Raimi's confirmation on directing the DOCTOR STRANGE sequel:
I loved Doctor Strange as a kid, but he was always after Spider-Man and Batman for me, he was probably at number five for me of great comic book characters. He was so original, but when we had that moment in Spider-Man 2 I had no idea that we would ever be making a Doctor Strange movie, so it was really funny to me that coincidentally that line was in the movie. I gotta say I wish we had the foresight to know that I was going to be involved in the project.
Very exciting! Can't wait to see how Raimi deals with the multiple universes, and also how he'll handle Blade (who is currently rumored to be introduced in this film, played by Mahershala Ali).
Meanwhile, DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS is still supposed to be released November 5, 2021 – and while that's still a bit away – it remains to be seen if that date will hold. You can also see Raimi's aforementioned horror series 50 STATES OF FRIGHT on Quibi right now.