Movement On DOCTOR STRANGE–Derrickson As Director, Leto Possibly As Lead

Well, I guess this solves the mystery as to what another of Marvel’s mystery Phase Three films will be.

Variety is reporting that The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister director Scott Derrickson is in has been hired to helm the long-rumored Doctor Strange film. The director confirmed the hiring via a Tweet.

My next movie will be STRANGE: pic.twitter.com/5pdbO6Op6j

— Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) June 3, 2014

Derrickson has a reputation as a low-cost, big return talent. The Exorcism of Emily Rose made seven times its budget back worldwide, and the $3 million dollar budgeted Sinister made over $77 million, worldwide. Even his remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still, which failed to make its budget back domestically, made over $233 million world wide. Surely this played a role in Marvel’s decision.

Badass Digest’s Devin Faraci adds that Derrickson will also take a pass at the script, as he is wont to do on films he directs. Faraci also states that newly-minted Oscar winner Jared Leto is the latest name on Marvel’s wish list to play the good doctor, a move he doesn’t act kindly to.

I am not familiar with Derrickson work, but he seems to be a fan. And Leto is riding high on a lot of buzz right now, and even if he rubs you the wrong way, he’s an actor that takes every role he’s cast in seriously.

So far we know that Ant-Man is set for a July 31, 2015 release, with Captain America 3 following on May 6, 2016. As of now Marvel have July 8, 2016 and May 5, 2017 staked out for as yet unannounced films and conceivably Dr. Strange could slide into one of these berths easily. Judging by how their previous two phases have unfolded, I would guess that 2017 will see one more film and early 2018 will give us the third Avengers film. With Dr. Strange now slated for one of those three spots, speculation will begin as to what characters will take the other two spots, as they will probably be needed to help set elements involving intergalactic villain Thanos for his expected appearance in Avengers 3. Will it be sequels to Thor and Guardians Of The Galaxy, or new characters such as The Inhumans or Black Panther? I believe we’ll find out a lot in several weeks at San Diego Comic Con.