Per prominent movie scooper Jeff Sneider, Sam Raimi is in talks to reunite with Marvel Studios to direct Doctor Strange 3, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Raimi previously helmed the 2022 sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which grossed over $955 million globally.
According to Sneider, Raimi is nearing a deal to helm Doctor Strange 3, which will serve as a direct follow-up to the 2022 entry. That project marked the director’s first venture into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, fans best know him for his earlier foray into the Marvel universe: the original Spider-Man trilogy featuring Tobey Maguire.
Marvel Studios has yet to confirm this news.
This update comes as a surprise, considering how Multiverse of Madness was received by the MCU fanbase. Post-Endgame excitement significantly contributed to the sequel’s impressive box office performance. However, fans’ response to the film was polarizing, with particular criticism directed at the storyline, Scarlet Witch’s arc, and the overuse of fan service. Loki scribe Michael Waldron faced considerable backlash for his script.
Nevertheless, Raimi’s direction and his effort to incorporate horror elements into Doctor Strange 2 were praised by viewers.
So, what can we expect from Doctor Strange 3? We may see Charlize Theron returning as Clea, marking her first full-fledged role in the MCU. Her character was introduced in the mid-credits scene of the second film. Additionally, non-comic book fans could learn more about incursions; collision of alternate realities. There are even rumours that the threequel might adapt the ‘Time Runs Out’ storyline from the comics, which would make sense given how Multiverse of Madness ended. Let’s see how Doctor Strange 3 turns out! Stay tuned for more updates.