Doctor Strange 2 Taps Loki Creator To Write Script

The sequel to 2016's Doctor Strange, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, has found itself a new writer. Michael Waldron, the creator of Marvel's Loki series premiering on Disney+ in early 2021, will pen the script for the upcoming MCU Phase 4 film.

Waldron will take over for Jade Barlett, who had penned a draft of the script already, according to The Wrap. During Comic-Con 2019, Kevin Feige and then-director Scott Derrickson said the Doctor Strange sequel will be the MCU's "first scary movie," though how scary it will be with its PG-13 rating remains to be seen.

The news comes just as the Doctor Strange sequel began eyeing original Spider-Man trilogy director Sam Raimi to lead the project. If selected, Raimi will replace Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson, who announced last month that he is not returning to direct the sequel because of creative differences. Derrickson confirmed that he will stay on the project as an executive producer.

Benedict Cumberbatch will return as the titular character, Doctor Strange. Benedict Wong (Wong) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Karl Mordo) are also reprising in their roles, while Elizabeth Olsen will star as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch. As GameSpot sister site Comic Book reports, Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer) won't return for the Doctor Strange sequel.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is slated to hit theatres on May 7, 2021, with production scheduled to start this May.