Sam Raimi confirms he’s working on Doctor Strange sequel — but is he directing?

Marvel’sDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessmay have a new director to go with itsnew release date.

During an interview tied to his upcoming anthology series for streaming platform Quibi, original Spider-Man franchise director Sam Raimi offhandedly mentioned he’s working on the sequel to 2016’sDoctor Strange.

Although he stopped short of officially confirming he’s directing the film, his involvement lends some support to an earlier rumor suggesting he was in talks to helm the movie.

His potential involvement withDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesscame up while he was discussing a scene in 2004’sSpider-Man 2in which the Marvel sorcerer’s name was dropped by J.K. Simmons’ character, the irascibleDaily Bugleeditor J. Jonah Jameson. In the scene, Jameson dismisses the idea of naming the city’s latest villain “Doctor Strange” because the name was already taken.

“When we had that moment inSpider-Man 2, I had no idea that we would ever be making a Doctor Strange movie,” Raimi toldComingSoon.net. “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.”

The director of 2002’sSpider-Manand its two sequels, Raimi hasn’t directed a superhero movie since 2007’sSpider-Man 3brought the Tobey Maguire-led franchise to an end.

If Raimi does directDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, he’ll fill the director’s chairvacated by Scott Derrickson, who directed the 2016 film and was initially expected to return behind the camera. Derrickson abruptly leftDoctor Strange in the Multiverse ofMadnessin January, citing creative differences with the studio.

Although Derrickson won’t be returning for the sequel,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesswill bring back Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular Sorcerer Supreme of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is also expected to feature MCU actress Elizabeth Olsen as her Avengers character, Wanda Maximoff, better known as the Scarlet Witch.

Originally scheduled to premiere in May 2021,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesswill now hit theaters June 08, 2025.