Marvel Comics has proven that they are willing to take chances and movies like "Doctor Strange" prove that they will succeed even with lesser known characters. While comic book fans know who Stephen Strange is, it is another story to sell him to mainstream movie audiences. However, like "Iron Man" showed many years ago, if the Marvel movies introduce the character with a great story, word-of-mouth will sell that movie. benedict cumberbatch, who starred as Doctor Strange in the movie, was part of that and he feels that the direction of Scott Derrickson was also instrumental in the success of the movie.
Scott Derrickson's directorial history
What made Scott Derrickson such a great choice to direct the first movie was his past history of movies. His most successful movie was the horror film "Sinister," which was a low-budget movie that made a lot of money at the box office. He also made a great possession movie called "The Exorcism of Emily Rose."
Stephen Strange is a very different character than Iron Man, Captain America, or even Thor. He is a sorcerer and that really gave Derrickson's experience in horror and the supernatural a great head start on developing this character. Things in the Doctor Strange universe will only grow stranger, so keeping Scott on board is smart.
The importance of Doctor Strange
Marvel rarely keeps directors on for multiple movies. Jon Favreau made a great movie in "Iron Man" but "Iron Man 2" was a bit of a letdown. The same can be said of Joss Whedon and the "Avengers" movies. Both "Thor" and "Captain America" changed directors in their movies. James Gunn is returning for "Guardians of the Galaxy 2" and early word is that it is great.
However, when the "Doctor Strange" movie was announced, Marvel hinted that he would be the next Iron Man and the character the world was built around in the next Marvel phase after the Avengers were eased out of the picture. The second movie needs to really knock it out of the park.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange
it might help that Benedict Cumberbatch wants Scott Derrickson back.
Cumberbatch is signed on for the near future, will appear in "Thor: Ragnarok" and "Avengers: Infinity War." If he wants Derrickson back, and the director responded on Twiter by saying he was interested, it is almost a lock it will happen.
