Scott Derrickson has officially stepped down as director of Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness.

The news comes from Variety, who state that Derrickson leaving the film is due to creative differences. He will remain on board as an executive producer.

“Marvel Studios and Scott Derrickson have amicably parted ways on ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ due to creative differences,” Marvel said in a statement to Variety. “We remain grateful to Scott for his contributions to the MCU.”

Derrickson, along with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, announced as 2019’s San Diego Comic Con that the Doctor Strange sequel would be the MCU’s first foray into the horror genre. Derrickson even said that the film would be the first “scary MCU movie.”

Recently, Feige said in an interview that, while the film would have scary sequences, it would not be a full fledged horror film. One would then assume that Derrickson departing the project may have to do with Disney/Marvel not being able to fully commit to the horror aspect.

Marvel and I have mutually agreed to part ways on Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences. I am thankful for our collaboration and will remain on as EP. — N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) January 10, 2020

The film is still set to start production in May, with no delays expected to occur. The search for a replacement is currently underway.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will magically appear in theatres on May 7, 2021.

