Scott Derrickson in the Mix to Direct Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'

The Master of the Mystic Arts, Doctor Strange, is expected to be a key piece of Marvel's next phase, and recently we began hearing some names of potential directors. On that list were Pixar's Mark Andrews, Warm Bodies director Jonathan Levine, A Royal Affair's Nikolaj Arcel, and Welcome to Yesterday helmer Dean Israelite. Now Borys Kit of THR has narrowed that shortlist just a little bit, while adding one more name into the mix.

Scott Derrickson, the director behind horrors The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister, is now up for the job, joining Andrews and Levine who are the only original names still in contention.  Mads Mikkelsen was one name mentioned for a starring role in the film, possibly due to his connection with Arcel. At this point there is little actually confirmed other than a screenplay by Jon Aibel and Glenn Berger of Kung Fu Panda fame.

Marvel could slot Doctor Strange in any of three open release dates, two set aside in 2016 and one in 2017. Derrickson's next film is Deliver Us from Evil, starring Eric Bana and Edgar Ramirez.