While the coronavirus shutdown has put many Hollywood productions in limbo, leading to potentialrelease date delaysfor big movies likeThe BatmanandThe Matrix 4, Marvel Studios is hopeful that their planned sequelDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesswill begin filming on schedule. In a report fromVarietyon the state of multiple productions under delay right now, they note thatDoctor Strange 2is still on track to begin filming in June—when it planned to start production all along. Reportedly pre-production on the movie has continued despite the coronavirus shutdown, with everyone working from home.
That presumably includesSam Raimi, who entered negotiationsto take over as directorof the movie following the exit ofScott Derrickson, who helmed the firstDoctor Strangebut departed due to creative differences.
Michael Waldron, who is serving as head writer on Marvel’s Disney+ seriesLoki, recently signed on to rewrite the script forDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. We know the film will findElizabeth Olsenco-starring alongsideBenedict Cumberbatchas Scarlet Witch, with the idea being that Olsen’s Disney+ seriesWandaVisionties directly into the storyDoctor Strange 2is telling.
Indeed, it’s not a surprise that Marvel would be focused on trying to keep things running as smoothly as possible during this shutdown. Their meticulously crafted Marvel Cinematic Universeplays out in a very specific order, so it’s not likeDoctor Strange 2can be delayed significantly if the movie’s story is crucially intertwine with the release ofWandaVision, which is scheduled to be released on Disney+ later this year.
Filming onShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the Marvel movie that will be released right beforeDoctor Strange 2, has been suspended in Australia over coronavirus concerns and the May release ofBlack Widowhas now been postponed. No word on howEternals, Marvel’s November 2020 release, has been impacted, but if this shutdown lasts much longer the lingering post-production work needed to finish that movie may pose a problem re: hitting that release date.
For now,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessis scheduled to hit theaters on August 11, 2025. Click through fora complete list of upcoming Marvel movies.
