Scott Derrickson reveals he will be directing an R-rated horror movie, after finishing up with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Considered to be the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first film in the horror genre, the sequel to the 2016 comic book adaptation starring Benedict Cumberbatch is slated to be released in 2021. Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, recently elaborated on the importance of Multiverse of Madness for the MCU. Given the hype, and how the sequel is being positioned as something new for the superhero franchise that has dominated the box office, Derrickson has his hands pretty full. But he seems to have one eye trained on returning to a style he’s extremely familiar with.

Derrickson has helmed a number of scary movies. Most notably, in 2012, he directed Sinister. The Blumhouse production starred Ethan Hawke as a true crime writer who stumbles upon some terrifying old videos that put his family in danger. The movie was a hit with audiences and critics, spawning a sequel, but it was also criticized for its reliance on jumpscares and familiar tropes. Derrickson was also behind the camera for The Exorcism of Emily Rose, which was loosely based on a true story. While the response to the tale of demonic possession was more mixed, it made $144 million on a budget of just slightly above $19 million. Derrickson’s history shows he has a knack for tapping into the fear of audiences.

The director will be looking to tap into that fear for Doctor Strange 2 and beyond. Sharing the news on social media, Derrickson tweeted a response to a question he says he’s often asked: Will he direct another R-rated horror movie? Derrickson revealed he will, even adding that he’s prepared a script with his frequent collaborator C. Robert Cargill. Cargill later added his own two cents, teasing the movie will based on one of Joe Hill’s works. Check out the tweets below.

Cargill was one of the co-writers on the first Doctor Strange installment. He also worked with Derrickson on the two Sinister movies. Going forward, Derrickson and Cargill are set to team up to write the big screen adaptation of the Deus Ex video games. In development for years, the Deus Ex movie is one of the many gaming-related projects fans have been waiting for.

It is not yet known which of Hill’s stories the duo will be adapting. The son of two authors, Stephen King and Tabitha King, Hill is hugely successful in his own right. He’s known for works like Heart-Shaped Box and The Fireman. Two of his stories, Horns and NOS4A2, have been adapted for film and television respectively. Hill’s comic series, Locke & Key, is headed to Netflix in 2020. The horror movie, whatever the details of it, will surely be anticipated, with Hill’s pedigree and Derrickson’s own talents, but Doctor Strange 2 is more than enough to occupy the director for now.

More: Doctor Strange 2 Can Completely Change The MCU

Source: Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill

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