3 reasons why Sam Raimi should direct Doctor Strange 2

Sam Raimi might be headed back to the director’s chair to helm the MCU’s Doctor Strange 2. While he is still in “talks” to make a return to the silver screen, here are 3 reasons why we think he is the man for the job.

Sam Raimi hasn’t directed a feature since 2013. While he was doing the press junket for Crawl last summer, he made it known that he couldn’t wait to get behind the camera again. Then why hasn’t it happened?

Well, in his words, he is looking for the “right script” because he doesn’t want to let people down. Could that problem be solved? Yesterday, Variety reported that Raimi was in talks with Marvel Studios to helm, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Scott Derrickson, who directed the original Doctor Strange in 2016, left the picture citing, “creative differences.” So, now, the studio has a huge tentpole event superhero movie without someone at the helm. If you were Kevin Feige, who would you call?

Sam Raimi, of course! With negotiations in full swing to try and make this dream a reality, we decided to compile some reasons why the director is the only man for this particular job.

Been There, Done That

With a director walking off a film that is scheduled to go into principal photography in May, you need a quick study to fill the vacancy. Someone who is experienced enough to come in, get up to speed and hit the ground running.

It helps that Doctor Strange 2 wouldn’t be Sam Raimi’s first rodeo with Marvel. He understands the way the company operates and he has proven that he can deliver box office successes. Plus, he knows the “language” of superhero films.

Special effects don’t overwhelm him. Also, despite not directing a movie in 7 years, he still keeps his head in the game by producing many studio efforts including Crawl, The Grudge (2020), The Grudge franchise in the 2000’s, Evil Dead (2013) and Don’t Breathe.

His Spider-Man trilogy according to Forbes, can’t be topped in terms of domestic earnings. Spider-Man 2 grossed $293.3 M followed by Spider-Man 3 with $238.4 M and Spider-Man with $235.1 M. All three films best the wildly successful 2019 effort Spider-Man: Far from Home which came in at $196 M.

Doctor Strange 2 Will Have Some Horror Elements

When Scott Derrickson and Kevin Feige were at San Diego Comic Con in 2019, they both agreed that Doctor Strange 2 while not a full-fledged horror movie will indeed have some scary elements to it. This decision reflects the MCU’s desire to dip into the comics’ original spooky, gothic vibe.

According to Collider, Derrickson envisioned his version of the film as being close to Stephen Spielberg’s productions of the 80’s. Singling out the frightening scenes in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, Gremlins and Poltergeist as examples of how he would inject legitimate scares into Doctor Strange 2.

Let’s face it, Sam Raimi knows the genre inside and out. He has the pedigree to boot and since Derrickson is staying on as an executive producer, Raimi could definitely align his sensibilities with the former director and Feige’s expectations.

Raimi Loves Comic Books

Growing up, Sam Raimi was a huge fan of Stan Lee’s Spider-Man comics. He is so knowledgeable about the character that during an interview with Blackfilm to promote Spider-Man, he talked about an issue where the superhero got the flu. He even referenced another storyline where Spidey decided to throw his suit away.

When Raimi interviewed to helm the original picture, he told the studio executives that he loved Peter Parker and he wanted to focus on the relationships that the character had if he got the job. In his mind, he wanted to make the story into a soap opera because he really enjoyed the drama of Melrose Place, believe it or not.

Because he enjoys the subject matter so much and has a respect for the source material, that makes him the best candidate for taking over the reins of Doctor Strange 2. Fingers crossed the powers that be will agree with us. It’s time for Sam to get back in the saddle again.

Doctor Strange 2 is set to be released in theaters on May 7, 2021.

Do you think Sam Raimi should direct Doctor Strange 2? How do you feel about his Spider-Man trilogy? Let us know in the comments.