HN Entertainment has learned that Marvel Studios’ upcoming Doctor Strange sequel titled Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness is now poised to shoot on the stages of Longcross Studios in Surrey, England.

Information had originally suggested that the sequel was strictly heading towards a production shoot at Pinewood Studios UK as previous Marvel films such as Black Widow and Eternals.

The original Doctor Strange shot primarily at Longcross Studios with some additional scenes at Shepperton Studios.

There seem to be a lot of factors involved including that Jurassic World 3 (working title Arcadia) and The Little Mermaid are expected to be occupying Pinewood this year along with Lucasfilm productions like the Cassian Andor series beginning this summer.

Actor Harrison Ford has also recently talked-up Indiana Jones 5 beginning soon to CBS Sunday Morning and the stage location for that has yet to be revealed officially.

Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull had been previously shot on various soundstages in Los Angeles.

Director Steven Spielberg had once publicly stated they had planned on shooting in the United Kingdom last year before script rewrites delayed the shoot. It’s possible that after Lucasfilm delayed the start of the Kenobi series to January 2021 it then allowed them to move Indiana Jones 5 in there instead.

With a May production start reported by trades for Doctor Strange 2 and all these other shoots at Pinewood likely didn’t leave much stage space for the Marvel Studios sequel.

Scott Derrickson recently exited the sequel over “creative differences” and has since endorsed director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man 1-3, Army of Darkness, Evil Dead), who has been reportedly in talks with Marvel to take over directing duties.

The cast of the film is said to consist of Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch, Benedict Wong as Wong, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as villain Baron Karl Mordo.

Sadly, Rachel McAdams (True Detective, Spotlight) won’t be coming back as Christine Palmer.

Kevin Feige had previously stated that both Disney+ series WandaVision (will tackle the Multiverse) and Loki (expected to tackle The Multiverse, time-travel, and Time Variance Agency) would be interlinked with Doctor Strange 2, possibly setting it up as well.

Loki head writer Michael Waldron (Rick & Morty) was recently tapped by Marvel Studios to add some rewrites to the script previously worked on by Jade Bartlett (Miller’s Girl).

Doctor Strange screenwriters Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill did not get the opportunity to write a draft as pointed out by Cargill on Twitter.

In March 2017, Scott Derrickson had teased he wanted to include mystical supporting characters such as Jericho Drumm (brother of Daniel Drumm, who died in the first film) aka Brother Voodoo and Dormammu’s daughter Clea while chatting with fans on Twitter.

His brother Daniel was killed by Kaecilius, so what do you think? https://t.co/xu5CHUmFPw — N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) March 2, 2017

Possibly Nightmare, but he's a tricky villain to get right. And you can't tell the story of Doctor Strange w/out eventually dealing w/Clea. https://t.co/C4mZYgGkkA — N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) March 2, 2017

The pair have been rumored to be involved with the sequel since last year and the rumor resurfaced not too long ago.

There is also a newer rumor that Young Avenger member America Chavez aka Miss America could be showing up as well. Chavez would make a lot of sense given her power-set includes the ability to move between the Multiverse.

A villain besides Baron Mordo has yet to be named despite previous suggestions from Derrickson that Nightmare was going to be used.

Benedict Cumberbatch has also played the Sorcerer Supreme in Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Marvel/Disney has given Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness a release date of May 7th, 2021.

Dr. Stephen Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing, and hope, in a mysterious enclave.

He quickly learns that the enclave is at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying reality.

Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.

SOURCE: HN ENTERTAINMENT