Doctor Strange is seen as a very important movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not just because it introduces Benedict Cumberbatch as the Sorcerer Supreme, but because it also unlocks a world of magic that is likely to pop up repeatedly further down the line. This use of magic was always going to have to be approached and explored in a careful manner, and now director Scott Derrickson has opened up about the creative process behind its introduction.
Scott Derrickson made this explanation while talking to Indiewire, admitting that while his track record as a director means he wouldn't have been the first person to spring to mind for directing a Marvel film, his past films in the horror genre actually assisted him in his work on Doctor Strange. Derrickson explained:
I'm as unlikely a Marvel director as James Gunn [Guardians of the Galaxy] or the Russo Brothers [Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America: Civil War, Winter Soldier], but, for me, it provided a more positive approach to horror with a little bit more flair. But if you take the horror out, the character drama should still be a good movie. And I took the same approach to this. There is a thematic tapestry underneath this movie about dramatic ideas that isn't forced.
It was a little bit of a surprise when Scott Derrickson was announced as the director of Doctor Strange. Derrickson had previously found most of his success with horror films as he oversaw the likes of Hellraiser: Inferno, The Exorcism Of Emily Rose, Sinister, and Deliver Us From Evil, while he'd also previously directed 2008's The Day The Earth Stood Still, too.
Scott Derrickson is believed to have beaten the likes of Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies), Mark Andrews (Brave), Dean Israelite (Project Almanac, Power Rangers) and Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair) to secure the coveted directing gig with the studio. And it appears to have worked out rather well for both Derrickson and Marvel, because Doctor Strange has so far been met with impressive reviews and currently holds a score of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Which is unsurprising when you consider just how visually arresting and impressive the trailers for Doctor Strange have been over the last few months. You can remind yourself of the beauty of Doctor Strange's trailer by rewatching it below.
We now don't have too long at all to wait until Doctor Strange's release, as it will finally be with us on Friday November 4th. It has already got over to a stellar start overseas, too, because Doctor Strange raked in $86 million over it opening weekend internationally, while it's expected to come close to matching this mammoth sum over this Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
