Exclusive Interview With Doctor Strange Director Scott Derrickson
Interview with Director Scott Derrickson: The Mind Behind Doctor Strange
If you are a fan of Marvel comics or movies, you will know that it takes an exceptional talent to bring such strange and epic tales to life. One such talent is Scott Derrickson, the director of Doctor Strange. Known for his horror movies, Derrickson has brought his unique touch to the Marvel universe, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.
Interviewing talents is always fun, but getting to talk to the person who brings the talent and film together to create something truly awesome is even more exciting. This article is all about our intriguing interview with director Scott Derrickson.
Creating the Visual Effects
According to Derrickson, developing the visual effects for Doctor Strange was a long and creative process. He wanted to use special effects for a different reason than what is usually seen in big event movies. Instead of using them to destroy cities (which is quite common in Marvel movies), he wanted to do something new, something unexpected, and most importantly, something weird and trippy.
“The idea going into it was to use visual effects for a new reason than what you usually get in big event movies… And I just felt committed to the idea of using those big expensive visual effects for something else, something new, something more interesting… And to give the audience an unexpected experience,” Derrickson said.
Doctor Strange: A Trip Back to the 60’s
The movie draws its primary influence from the 60’s comics. Derrickson wanted to bring the 60’s mentality into a modern superhero movie, not as a nostalgic throwback, but to open and expand the minds of the audience. He was inspired by the psychedelic rock of that era, as well the Steve Ditko artwork from the same period.
“What I wanted to do was to not make a throwback movie, or a nostalgic movie. I didn’t want to try to go back and recapture the 60’s revolution feel, but I wanted to have that same mindset of open your mind, expand your mind, see things new…The goal was to take that 60’s mentality, and then bring it into a modern superhero movie and do it with a character who was about something,” Derrickson explained.
The Choice of The Ancient One
The character of The Ancient One, traditionally a Tibetan man in the comics, is portrayed by a woman, Tilda Swinton, in the movie. The decision to cast a woman was twofold. Firstly, it helped to escape the racial stereotypes from the original comics. Secondly, Derrickson wanted a woman of Tilda’s age, not the typical 26-year-old, tightly leather-clad, fan boy’s dream girl. He wanted to bring diversity and reality into the movie.
“I wanted to do is make it a woman… And I did that to get away from the cliché and the stereotype, but I also did that because I wanted a woman Tilda’s age… I wanted to have a real woman in the movie, in terms of trying to get diversity in there,” Derrickson said.
Casting the Leads
Derrickson revealed that all five lead roles in Doctor Strange were his first choice actors and they were all available to film.
Why Doctor Strange?
As a Marvel comics fan, Doctor Strange was Derrickson’s favorite comic. When he heard they were making it into a movie, he felt uniquely suited to direct it. When he first met with the Marvel team, he was amazed at how aligned their thinking was with his.
“I grew up with Marvel comics. Doctor Strange is my favorite comic. And when I heard they were making it I felt like it was the only comic book character I was uniquely suited to do,” Derrickson confessed.
So, if you’re yet to see Doctor Strange, you really don’t want to miss it. Grab your tickets and experience the mind-bending, dimensional jumping story brought to you by director Scott Derrickson. It’s a psychedelic trip back to the 60’s that’s not to be missed!
| Aspect | Scott Derrickson’s Approach |
|---|---|
| Visual Effects | Used for creating new and interesting experiences rather than just destruction |
| Influence | 60’s comics, specifically Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s work |
| The Ancient One | Chose to depict as a woman to avoid racial stereotypes, specifically chose Tilda Swinton for her ethereal and enigmatic qualities |
| Casting | Managed to cast his first choice actors for all five lead roles |
| Motivation | Doctor Strange was his favorite comic character growing up, felt uniquely suited to bring the character to the big screen |
Scott Derrickson’s Vision for Doctor Strange
Scott Derrickson, well-known for his horror movies, was the perfect choice for directing Doctor Strange. His unique vision combined with his love for Marvel comics resulted in a film that is both visually stunning and deeply engaging. Derrickson’s approach to the visual effects was groundbreaking. Rather than following the traditional route of using special effects to create destruction, he opted for something more creative and unexpected. He wanted to give audiences an experience unlike anything they had seen before.
Immersing in the Psychedelic Era
Derrickson wanted to bring the 60’s mentality into a modern superhero movie. His desire was not to create a nostalgic experience, but rather to open and expand the minds of the audience. He drew inspiration from the psychedelic rock of that era and the Steve Ditko artwork from the same period. This resulted in a visually captivating film that pushes the boundaries of what a superhero movie can be.
Gender and Age Diversity in Doctor Strange
Derrickson’s decision to cast Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One, traditionally a Tibetan man in the comics, was a bold move. This decision was twofold. Firstly, it allowed Derrickson to break away from racial stereotypes. Secondly, he wanted to cast a woman who was not the typical young, tightly leather-clad dream girl. He wanted to bring diversity and reality into the movie, and Tilda Swinton was the perfect choice for this role.
First Choice Actors for Lead Roles
Another interesting aspect of Derrickson’s direction was his casting choices. All five lead roles in Doctor Strange were his first choice actors, and they were all available to film. This shows Derrickson’s clear vision for the film and his ability to bring together a talented cast to bring his vision to life.
Why Doctor Strange?
As a fan of Marvel comics, Doctor Strange was Derrickson’s favorite comic. When he heard that it was being made into a movie, he felt uniquely suited to direct it. He believed that he had a unique understanding and connection to the character, and this is evident in the final product. His passion for the comic and character shines through in every scene, making Doctor Strange a must-watch for any Marvel fan.
Final Thoughts
Scott Derrickson’s vision for Doctor Strange is a testament to his creative genius and passion for storytelling. His unique approach to the visual effects, his desire to bring diversity into the movie, and his deep connection to the comic are all elements that make Doctor Strange a standout film in the Marvel universe. If you haven’t watched it yet, grab your tickets and experience the mind-bending, dimensional jumping story brought to you by director Scott Derrickson. You won’t regret it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Scott Derrickson’s direction for Doctor Strange?
Derrickson was inspired by the psychedelic rock of the 60’s and the Steve Ditko artwork from the same period. He wanted to bring that 60’s mentality into a modern superhero movie.
Why did Scott Derrickson cast Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One?
Derrickson wanted to break away from racial stereotypes and bring diversity into the movie. He also wanted to cast a woman who was not the typical young, tightly leather-clad dream girl.
Why was Doctor Strange Derrickson’s favorite comic?
Derrickson felt a unique connection to the character and the comic. When he heard it was being made into a movie, he felt uniquely suited to direct it.
1. Who is Scott Derrickson?
Scott Derrickson is a renowned director known for his work in the horror genre. He is the director of the Marvel movie, Doctor Strange.
2. What was Derrickson’s approach to the visual effects in Doctor Strange?
Derrickson wanted to use special effects in a different way, not just to destroy cities, but to create something new, unexpected, and interesting. He aimed to provide the audience with an unexpected experience.
3. What was the primary influence for the movie Doctor Strange?
The movie draws its primary influence from the 60’s comics. Derrickson wanted to bring the 60’s mentality into a modern superhero movie to open and expand the minds of the audience.
4. Why was The Ancient One character portrayed by a woman in the movie?
The decision to cast a woman was twofold. Firstly, it helped to escape the racial stereotypes from the original comics. Secondly, Derrickson wanted a woman of Tilda’s age, not the typical 26-year-old, tightly leather-clad, fan boy’s dream girl. He wanted to bring diversity and reality into the movie.
5. How were the lead roles cast in Doctor Strange?
All five lead roles in Doctor Strange were Derrickson’s first choice actors and they were all available to film.
6. Why did Derrickson choose to direct Doctor Strange?
As a Marvel comics fan, Doctor Strange was Derrickson’s favorite comic. When he heard they were making it into a movie, he felt uniquely suited to direct it.
7. What can viewers expect from Doctor Strange?
Viewers can expect a mind-bending, dimensional jumping story brought to you by director Scott Derrickson. It’s a psychedelic trip back to the 60’s that’s not to be missed!
