Sam Raimi Reveals What Other Superhero Movies He'd Like To Direct
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness director Sam Raimi reveals what other comic properties he'd like to direct. Raimi is the prolific filmmaker who began his career with the Evil Dead series of films, which led through Army of Darkness, eventually spinning off into a rebooted feature franchise, as well as a continuation of his saga on TV with Ash vs. Evil Dead. In addition, Raimi is known for his work on the first live-action Spider-Man feature film series starring Tobey Maguire, for which he directed three films in that series.
Raimi's last venture into the superhero genre was 2007's Spider-Man 3, which was a bit of a box-office disappointment in relation to the other two films. However, Raimi is getting back into the superhero genre with this summer's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which is his first feature film since 2013's Oz The Great And Powerful with James Franco and Mila Kunis. Benedict Cumberbatch returns for Doctor Strange 2, which also features Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch and will introduce the multiverse-powered character of America Chavez, played by Xochitl Gomez.
Raimi, however, seems to have more superheroes on his wish list, which he expressed interest in while speaking to Empire. The director said that Batman was chief among the properties he'd love to direct and that The Shadow was another character he'd love to bring to the big screen. Of course, he mentioned Spider-Man in that list as well, putting Doctor Strange in fourth place among his list of superheroes he'd like to direct (or direct again, in the case of Spider-Man). Here's his full quote:
"I’ve always loved Batman. If I ever saw the Batsignal up in the air, I’d come running. If I heard that deep, gurgling laugh of The Shadow coming from the darkness, I would also tentatively step outside. And Spider-Man would be ahead of Doctor Strange, but I don’t want to put him down the list!"
Initially, Scott Derrickson, who directed the first Doctor Strange, was set to return for the sequel, but left due to creative differences early on, opening the door for Raimi to return to the genre he helped create. Ironically, there's a mention of Doctor Strange in Raimi's Spider-Man 2, which has now come full circle as he's directing a feature of the character. Derrickson's next feature is the horror film The Black Phone, which stars Ethan Hawke and will release one month after Doctor Strange 2.
Raimi has dabbled in multiple genres throughout his career, from drama to horror to westerns, but has always been known for his lively comic-book style, which has translated across all of his films, making his return that much more exciting. Having been sitting on the sidelines as the genre exploded, thanks largely to the fuse he lit with his Spider-Man films, it's great to have his visual language back where it belongs. Sam Raimi directing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a gift, but if the door ever opened for Batman, The Shadow, or even a return to Spider-Man, it's unlikely anyone would object.
Source: Empire