Projects That Would Be Perfect For Scott Derrickson's Return To The MCU
Marvel Studios has had a lot of success pulling directors from the indie world and turning them into blockbuster filmmakers. More often than not, they seemed to have drawn creators from the horror genre. "Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn, "Spider-Man" helmer Jon Watts, and "Thor: Ragnarok" director Taika Waititi all worked on horror movies before joining the MCU. Likewise, Scott Derrickson, whose early films included horror drama "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and supernatural thriller "Insidious," was plucked from the indie scene and handed the reins of Marvel's next big hero on "Doctor Strange."
Unfortunately, during development of the film's sequel, Derrickson stepped away, and was replaced by original "Spider-Man" director and fellow horror director Sam Raimi. When asked recently on Twitter if he'd ever be willing to come back to the MCU and sit in the director's chair once more, Derrickson gave an unequivocal yes: "I loved working with Marvel and would absolutely do it again." It's clear whatever differences came between himself and the studio were not irreconcilable. Having already overseen one blockbuster, and currently serving as executive producer on its sequel, it would be foolish of Marvel to let him go entirely.
With that in mind, we've brainstormed some ideas for where Derrickson could turn up next. From a big budget sequel to a popular franchise, or the big screen debut of an all new hero — or even on a series for Disney+ — here's a list of projects that we think would be perfect for Scott Derrickson's return to the MCU. Some are announced, some are hypothetical, but all fit Derrickson's talents.
Doctor Strange 3
We can begin with the obvious call here. Reports are that Derrickson and Marvel Studios parted ways on the "Doctor Strange" sequel due to "creative differences." Looking back at how the film developed since its first announcement, it does make sense as to why. It as initially described by studio boss Kevin Feige as "gothic, horror" and the "first scary MCU film" at San Diego Comic Con (per Polygon). It possible that Feige and co. may have opted to soften the horror elements, perhaps leaving Derrickson less interested in returning.
Whatever the case, the stage still could be set for a return from the horror director on a third film. Should the multiverse story wrap up at some point, Marvel and Derrickson could be keen to revisit the idea of a true horror film in the MCU. Though we're sure Raimi will wind up a perfect fit for "Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness," he obviously wasn't the first choice, and thus he may not have been promised to helm a sequel.
Scarlet Witch sequel
The first (and so far only) season of "WandaVision" was a trippy foray into unusual territory Marvel, with each of the early episodes looking and feeling like a different sitcom. As it progressed, the creepy vibe increased, and ended with Wanda fully becoming the potentially dangerous Scarlet Witch. Though we still know little about how she plays into the plot of "Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness," and even less about where her story will end up, it's hard to rule out a second season — or even a big screen feature — for Wanda. And if there is more to her story after her appearance in the "Doctor Strange" sequel, we very well could we see her in her most powerful and uncontrollable form. If that's the case, it could be a story worthy of horror director Scott Derrickson.
A sequel season for Wanda — exploring the darkest recesses of her past, present, and future with the added twist of her having embraced the full force of her Scarlet Witch persona — could make for a seriously scary series. Derrickson's penchant for dark and twisted tales like "Sinister" and "Deliver Us From Evil" could be well-served in writing the next chapter in the story of the MCU's most powerful witch. It only remains to be seen if Marvel wants to give Wanda a follow-up film or series — but if they do, they may already have its director on speed dial.
Werewolf By Night
Development is already well underway on the first ever live action adaptation of Marvel's resident wolf monster, "Werewolf by Night." Announced as a Halloween special likely to debut on Disney+ in 2023, little else is known. No official word on casting has been made — though "Coco" and "Old" star Gael García Bern has reportedly nabbed the lead role (via The Wrap) — and no director or writing team have been announced. Assuming there's still more than a year and a half left before it hits the streaming service, it could be the perfect project for Scott Derrickson, who's clearly keen to take on Marvel's first dip into the horror genre.
Of course, airing on Disney+ likely means it won't get the heavy adult rating the director may be used to, but his work on "Doctor Strange" showed he's fully capable of making a family friendly adventure with an edge. And if there's any one horror property that's in his wheelhouse, "Werewolf by Night" is it. With supernatural aspects already at play in the MCU — including the mysterious book of Darkhold — the magical and monster elements of the film may very well be just what the director is looking for in a new Marvel project. It only remains to be seen if he'd have a slot in his schedule this soon, as his plate appears full — with no less than four projects already announced, according to his IMDb page.
A Wong solo project
Marvel has shown their willingness to experiment more with the style and tone of their heroes on Disney+ more than they might in a big budget feature. Both "WandaVision" and "Loki" took daring new approaches to their lead characters, and doing something similar for Benedict Wong's mystical assistant Wong could be just the kind of thing the MCU needs right now. There's also lots more story left to be told with Wong, from his time before Strange came to the Sanctum to his time as Sorcerer Supreme during the five year gap when Strange was dusted by Thanos. A series set around either or both of these two unexplored time frames could make for an exciting project for Scott Derrickson.
There's been no such word yet on a possible solo series for Wong, but where Marvel is concerned, anything is possible — nobody expected "Armor Wars" or "Ironheart" before their announcements. But if he does return, and get his own limited series, Derrickson would be the man for the job. Wong may be a popular character, but he also seems like someone Marvel might be willing to experiment with, and that sounds like just what Derrickson is looking for in his next Marvel project.
Moon Knight
The upcoming Disney+ series "Moon Knight," starring Oscar Isaac, is expected to be a landmark series for Marvel. By the looks of the first trailer, the series could very well be the studio's first stab at a real horror hero. With a first season featuring six episodes, the directing team is being led by Mohamed Diab in his first project produced outside of his native Egypt. But with superstar actor Oscar Isaac in the lead, we find it difficult to believe that Moon Knight's introduction into the MCU will be a one-and-done affair.
Could that mean a second season? Or could it perhaps mean a move to the big screen with a "Moon Knight" feature film? A big budget star-studded summer blockbuster that mixes superhero action and horror elements feels like just the right mix for a major Marvel movie. If there's to be a long term future for Moon Knight in the MCU, a Scott Derrickson directed "Moon Knight" film could just be what we need after his origin adventure on Disney+.
Ghost Rider
The fact that we've heard nothing about Marvel Studios rebooting the Spirit of Vengeance for the MCU paradoxically makes this one more likely than some others on this list. With a full slate of films on deck according to his IMDb page, Derrickson may not be ready to rejoin the ranks of Marvel directors for a few years, but when he is, "Ghost Rider" feels ripe for the picking. Famously the focus of not one but two different Nicolas Cage starring vehicles, 2007's "Ghost Rider" and 2011's "Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance," the demonic motorcycle-riding vigilante was rebooted — ostensibly into the MCU — in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Played by Gabriel Luna, the new Ghost Rider was a man named Robbie Reyes, this time driving a flaming 1969 Dodge Charger — also known as the Hell Charger.
Initially, this version of the character was to get his own spinoff series on Hulu, but the network put the brakes on the show just a few short months after its announcement. Could this mean there are plans for a "Ghost Rider" movie or series more firmly set in the MCU? Upcoming projects like "Moon Knight," "Blade," and "Werewolf By Night" suggest a focus on horror properties, and Ghost Rider seems conspicuous by his absence. If Marvel truly wants to embrace the darker aspects of the MCU, then a new movie for the character — whether it be Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, or Robbie Reyes — would be the ideal place for Derrickson to make his home.
Man-Thing
Making his first appearance in the first issue of the Marvel magazine "Savage Tales" in 1971, Man-Thing actually made his debut a month before DC's similarly themed Swamp Thing. Residing in the Everglades, the behemoth known as the Man-Thing is Dr. Ted Sallis — a scientist who attempted to develop a new version of the same serum that turned Steve Rogers into Captain America, but unwittingly became merged with the swamp itself. Sallis would later learn that the waters that turned him into the creature also contained incredible supernatural powers, and were actually a network of portals into alternate dimensions known as The Nexus Of All Realities.
With the multiverse taking shape in the MCU in "Doctor Strange," "Loki," and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" — and supernatural heroes like Blade and Moon Knight on their way — it feels like the time is right for Marvel to introduce Man-Thing. Though he did get a long-forgotten direct-to-video movie in 2005, a new, Marvel Studios-produced feature film or big budget small screen series doesn't just feel like a good project for Derrickson, but a perfectly timed debut for a hero who can help guide the MCU through multiverse adventures.
Marvel's Dracula
Scott Derrickson has already worked on one Dracula move, the much-maligned "Dracula 2000," a film he did an uncredited rewrite on less than two weeks before shooting. He stated on Twitter that even the producers knew was terrible, and it ended up being a commercial bomb and a critical dud. A chance to write and direct Marvel's version of the classic literary monster could be a way for Derrickson to do it right. Now that he has two more decades of movie-making experience under his belt, perhaps he can deliver the kind of vampire movie he's always wanted. Despite being a Marvel adventure, their version of Dracula is very much the same horrific blood-sucking lord of darkness as any other.
Appearing first in "The Tomb Of Dracula" in 1972, he's had memorable clashes with Doctor Strange, The Avengers, and even the X-Men. Given both his experience with the Darkhold in the comics and a "Blade" movie suggesting the existence of vampires in the MCU, his introduction seems inevitable. If he does show up, it would make sense to give Marvel's Dracula his own movie or series — and there's no doubt that Derrickson would be the right man for the job.
The Midnight Sons
We've gotten films about the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, but members of another team are starting to pop up in the MCU: The Midnight Sons. An oft-overlooked assemblage of Marvel's best supernatural heroes (and anti-heroes), the Midnight Sons original lineup included Ghost Rider, Morbius, Blade, and others — recruited by none other than Doctor Strange. Later incarnations included the likes of Wong, Man-Thing, and even the Punisher.
With the coming of supernatural heroes like Moon Knight, Blade, and Werewolf by Night, it's clear that the scarier side of the Marvel universe is going to play a major role. Like the Avengers on the big screen, it only makes sense for these mystical heroes to have solo adventures before coming together — perhaps to adapt the classic 1993 storyline, "Rise Of The Midnight Sons." Even if Derrickson doesn't take solo projects for any of them, he would be an excellent fit for when they all came together. If Marvel wants a new and different kind of big screen team-up, the greatest of Marvel's horror heroes led by Stephen Strange could be just what the Doctor ordered.
Machine Man
If you're looking for a left field pick on this list, this one is it. Far from the horror themed monsters like Dracula or Werewolf by Night and incorporating no supernatural or mystical elements like "Doctor Strange" or "Scarlet Witch," the android known as X-51 could still be a good fit for director Scott Derrickson. Also known as "Machine Man," the character was created by Jack Kirby. X-51 is an artificial lifeform. He is the target of a military manhunt, and he eventually takes on his own human identity before blending into live on Earth.
His own adventures would be explored many times in a variety of other comics, with perhaps his most famous being as the narrator of the epic event series "Earth X" in 1999 co-created by artist Alex Ross. In that series, X-51 is recruited by Uatu, the Watcher (seen in the Disney+ animated series "What If...?") to help him chronicle the events of the story as he lay dying.
X-51's sequences are dark and haunting, and feel like an appropriate tone for a project helmed by Scott Derrickson. If he's looking for something unexpected and different, "Machine Man" could be his choice.
Marvel Zombies
The world of "Marvel Zombies" told of a necro-virus that most all of Marvel's greatest heroes into undead flesh-eating walkers. In 2021, the world of "Marvel Zombies" made their screen debut in an episode of "What If...?" that firmly established their universe as an alternate timeline within the official Marvel multiverse. Since then, it's been announced that a Disney+ spinoff set entirely in that reality is on its way. But while Scott Derrickson does have just the right sickening sense of horror, humor, and vile imagination to do justice to the world of "Marvel Zombies," we're not talking about a spinoff animated series — but instead a big budget blockbuster feature film on the big screen.
Imagine getting all your favorite MCU actors — even ones who've retired from their roles — all back to play undead variant versions of their MCU counterparts, in an epic horror movie by the director of "Insidious" and "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." A live action version of the "Marvel Zombies" universe could just be what the MCU needs to justify its first R-rated film. There's no doubt that seeing the return of everyone from Robert Downey Jr. as a zombie Iron Man, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as a living dead Quicksilver would put plenty of butts in seats, and Derrickson would be the man for the job.
House of Harkness
When "WandaVision" first began airing, it wasn't long before fans began to suspect that nosy neighbor Agnes was more than meets the eye. Many fan theories guessed she was none other than Agatha Harkness, one of Marvel Comics' most powerful witches ... which turned out to be correct. A fan favorite on the series, Katheryn Hahn turned Harkness from a next door annoyance into one of the MCU's most compelling villains. And thanks in no small part to the actress's standout performance, a spinoff series, "House of Harkness" is coming to Disney+ sometime in the near future.
An Agatha Harkness spinoff could very well embrace the scarier, darker side of the MCU. Flashbacks on "WandaVision" showed her early days in Salem, and an exploration of the world of witchcraft seems like the kind of the story the series could tell. So far, Marvel has made no mention of who may be writing, directing, or running "House of Harkness," so might we humbly suggest Scott Derrickson for the job?