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Marvel’s ‘Dr. Strange’ to Be Directed by Scott Derrickson (EXCLUSIVE)

As Marvel keeps hunting for its “Ant-Man” director, the company continues to move forward with its next phase of films, tapping Scott Derrickson to helm “Dr. Strange.”

Talks are still early, but sources say Derrickson, who most recently directed “Sinister,” is Marvel’s choice and a deal should be struck shortly.

Marvel had no comment.

The pic will be produced by Kevin Feige, who, over the years, has repeatedly said how badly he wants to get a “Dr. Strange” movie made. Executive producers on the project are Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Alan Fine, Stan Lee and Stephen Broussard.

The comicbook revolved around a former neurosurgeon who serves as the “Sorcerer Supreme” — the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats. Strange made his first appearance in the 1963 comicbook series “Strange Tales” and would go on to have his own comicbook series and would appear in several other comicbooks that included “The Fantastic Four,” “Spider-Man” and “Nick Fury.”

Marvel has teased Strange in several pics including “Thor” and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” and Derrickson’s commitment only moves things forward in getting the good doctor his own pic.

Derrickson and Marvel will now look to cast its title character, and while there is no front-runner at this time, expect a decision in coming months.

Derrickson has been a rising star that Hollywood has been chasing for their big projects after the success of his horror pic “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” which earned $144 million at the worldwide box office.

He followed that up with another horror pic, “Sinister,” which overperformed at the box office and helped gained the attention of Hollywood. With execs always looking for directors that can pull the most out of their budgets, Derrickson is a very attractive talent, with both “Sinister” and “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” costing less than $20 million but bringing in more than double that in profits.

Marvel is hoping Derrickson can bring the same dark and eerie storytelling style to the “Dr. Strange” story while not breaking the bank on the budget.

He is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment.

His next pic, “Deliver Us From Evil,” bows July 2 and stars Eric Bana and Olivia Munn.

Here’s some hot superhero dish to take into the weekend. There are reports tonight that Peyton Reed and David Wain are being considered for Ant-Man, but man, we are progressing down the comedy director food chain, and this is starting to feel stale. So how about Doctor Strange? Marvel is putting together its cast list, and I’m hearing that Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch are on it.

https://twitter.com/twitterapi/status/492730526143627264

EXCLUSIVE: Marvel has finally found its Doctor Strange. I’m hearing Benedict Cumberbatch is the studio’s choice for the superhero pic, and negotiations are about to begin. The news comes after talks with Joaquin Phoenix around the time of Comic-Con went south, and Marvel went back to the drawing board. With names like Jared Leto and Tom Hardy also in the mix, this is obviously a coveted role. I expect this deal to make.