Related: Doctor Strange 2 - Every Update You Need to Know

THR reports Scott Derrickson has signed on to direct Doctor Strange 2, which brings him back to the franchise he helped start. Marvel is currently looking for a writer, so it's unclear if C. Robert Cargill will also return to scripting duties. Whoever is ultimately hired, the plan is for the script to be written over the course of 2019, ahead of a possible 2020 production start. Cumberbatch will return to star, and it's expected that Benedict Wong and Rachel McAdams will also return.

Although there were never any prior reports of negotiations actually taking place, Derrickson's return has specific ideas in place for the sequel's story. Now that he's back directing, he should be able to make those happen.

But, he will need the help of a screenwriter, and Doctor Strange's script went through several hands. Derrickson does have a written by co-credit on the first film, which also received contributions from Jon Spaihts and - as previously mentioned - Cargill. Spaihts has voiced his Nightmare as the main villain, and Baron Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) in an expanded role too. Whether Spaihts or Cargill return is unclear, but this could be where Doctor Strange 2 goes.

With Doctor Strange 2's schedule appearing to be more development and entering pre-production by the end of 2019 for a spring 2020 start to filming, this should make it one of Marvel's 2021 releases. This will put it on a Shang-Chi could be the third film in the 2021 slate. We'll have to see how exactly (and quickly) it all comes together, but at least we finally know that Doctor Strange 2 has a director and is going to move forward.

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Source: THR