Sam Raimi accidentally confirms he's directing 'Doctor Strange 2'

Comic book fans have been beside themselves with excitement at rumours that Sam Raimi was circling the director's chair for the Doctor Strange sequel.

Scott Derrickson, who made the first movie, was all set for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but dropped out over 'creative differences' in January.

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Raimi's name then started doing the rounds at the beginning of February, ahead of the planned filming in June (pre-production is continuing despite the current lockdown, however).

Now, speaking to Coming Soon, Raimi let slip his involvement while referencing a passing Doctor Strange joke that featured in his movie Spider-Man 2.

“I loved Doctor Strange as a kid, but he was always after Spider-Man and Batman for me, he was probably at number five for me of great comic book characters,” said the Evil Dead creator.

“He was so original, but when we had that moment in Spider-Man 2 I had no idea that we would ever be making a Doctor Strange movie, so it was really funny to me that coincidentally that line was in the movie.

“I gotta say I wish we had the foresight to know that I was going to be involved in the project.”

Marvel is yet to confirm Raimi as the director, but at least they can save a little money on a press release now.

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Raimi made his Spider-Man trilogy between 2002 and 2007, taking in villains including Doctor Octopus, the Green Goblin and Sandman.

However, he's not helmed a movie since 2013's Oz the Great and Powerful with James Franco.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which will see Benedict Cumberbatch back as the neurosurgeon turned Avenger, is slated for release on 5 November, 2021.