Sam Raimi on Doctor Strange 2 and His Much Longer First Cut of the Sequel

With Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness opening in theaters around the world this weekend, I recently got to speak with director Sam Raimi about making the highly anticipated sequel. During the brief but fun interview, Raimi talked about how modern technology like Zoom helped him make the film and how the cameos were done “to titillate the fans and surprise them, to make them gasp, to give them, not exactly what they expected, but something that they would love.”
In addition, Raimi talked about what the editing process with Marvel is like, how he expects two or three deleted scenes will be on the eventual Blu-ray, and his first cut of his film, which ran two hours and forty minutes. If you’re not aware, the finished film runs about two hours and five minutes and includes a lot of the additional photography done late last year. So, Marvel definitely has a lot of deleted scenes from this film. The big question is how many we will get to see…
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong as Wong, Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo. Also, along for the ride is Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez.
#SamRaimi #DoctorStrangeintheMultiverseofMadness #Doctor Strange2
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[@luissalas177]

We need that Raimi cut Disney. People are already saying the movie moves too quick, and things feel left out!

[@jmaguire2232]

It’s what happens when business people cut movies. Granted, Feige does seem to have an appreciation for the source material that other producers lack. I hope the MCU starts to give the creators they hire more artistic control.

[@kylerpruitt1620]

@@jmaguire2232 the final cut IS the Rami cut, Sam said everything he cut was his decision, not Marvel’s

[@tokyojake1223]

The movie did kinda move quick but it wasn’t a complaint on my end just finished watching it and it’s a good doctor strange movie. Keep in mind it’s a good movie before you see people crying bout how there’s no tobey , ghost rider , Tom cruise , dead pool , goku , & shrek

[@thesaucegod3136]

@@jmaguire2232 they literally did lmao

[@travisspazz1624]

Nope. It's refreshing that it's only 2 hours long.

[@jabrilbryant5806]

Inspiring words from an experienced filmmaker with 40+ years in the industry: "I needed time away after that to get hungry again, learn about filmmaking, taking some lessons, and do some gardening."

[@ArjunLoveableChannel]

I know right. He was making spider-man movies with practical effects with very less CGI & he knows how exhausting is to make these movies , even stevn Spielberg said that jurrasic park movies were very hard and exhausting to make since practical effects were there so may that's why he said he needed a break

[@snilrach]

I love how enthusiastic Sam Raimi is talking about Zoom.

[@mohammedayaan3349]

of all the groundbraking technology he could have talked about , he chose the app that was used by 12yo for school

[@louispacetime1576]

@@mohammedayaan3349 LMAOOOO

[@Ajay-pj2hv]

@@mohammedayaan3349 you underestimate communication

[@raven_1715]

The great Sam Raimi, before he only mentioned Dr. Strange during Spiderman 2.... Now he's the one directing it. (AND TOTALLY KILLED IT!) 👏🏻

[@Pointman11111]

"You looking for a raise? Get out."

[@forbiddencroisant]

Definitely didn't kill it with the theatrical cut of MoM

[@ranbirbhatia1585]

It was absolutely perfect!

[@papabear6611]

@@forbiddencroisant definitely did

[@yowatchie]

@@forbiddencroisant 100% did

[@h.c4898]

We need a Raimi's cut.

[@44Gleek182]

Watch Raimi talks is just a bless. So transparent and full of passion for what he do.

[@karthiksubramanian2279]

I am actually waiting for his director's cut which was rumored to be around 2:30 hours. Hope they release it in Disney plus or any OTT platform

[@maxim196]

They won't

[@karthiksubramanian2279]

@@maxim196 I know...still would be cool to watch

[@DerezzedMan]

Disney wouldn't allow themselves to do that because that would mean that their directors don't have freedom. That's why the Russos' brothers said that their theatrical cuts were their "directors' cuts"

[@baraka99]

Can't wait to see the Extended Cut of Sam Raimi's Dr Strange 2.

[@salverobosa7135]

@Brandon it depends on fan demands

[@drachireidnoc6659]

@Brandon there’s an extended cut for Days of Future Past I believe (the rogue cut)

[@knuckles2494]

@@drachireidnoc6659 That's not mcu

[@drachireidnoc6659]

@@knuckles2494 but it is Marvel, the OG didn’t specify

[@YouTubeUserTYUIOPREWQ]

A 2 Hour And 45 Minute Movie or Film shouldn't be call an Extended Cut. 1 Hour And 45 Minute Films are Short and dying in the Movie Theater Industry. Disney or the Marvel Corporation made this a 2 Hour Movie cause they don't like Raimi's Vision and they want some more Kiddy Marvel Movies

[@johngrayson9218]

Sam Raimi is a director of much acclaim. I think it’s fantastic that he’s humble enough to say he needed a breather to continue learning his craft. Some filmmakers wouldn’t bother doing this, despite how much their talents decline.

[@DPham1]

Exactly, Raimi is a very talented and innovative director. And him being humble enough to admit he still has things to learn and continuing to be a student of his craft when many consider him to be a master speaks a lot to his dedication to his craft

[@davidjames579]

From what I've heard the first cut was a definite R for violence and horror. We need to see this. I didn't really like it as a PG-13, and felt it was neutered to get in line with the other MCU PG-13's. If you film a PG-13 then release it as that, but don't film an R and release it as a PG-13.

[@benjaminswall-yarrington7209]

I might be cynical, but it feels like they’re manufacturing a ‘Release the Raimi Cut’ campaign... that being said I’d totally pay for it

[@forbiddencroisant]

They definitely are.

[@TMSokoya]

This man is precious and must be protected at all costs. I also want him back for the sequel.

[@horrorfanandy4647]

Criticise the film all you like, it felt original and fresh, and free overall from many of the restrictions the MCU places on directors. I’m done with the MCU, but not with Sam. Oh no. That’s never happening.

[@HoDoBoDo]

Will there be an extended cut? I hope there is. Ik they don't like releasing extended cuts for movies in the MCU, but for this film specifically...it needs that extra 40 minutes back, because this film was missing a lot of things. Still a nice watch however. 7/10.

[@KrishanKumar-hg9kb]

Yes i too want that extended cut

[@SPEEDRAZ0R]

He's not talking about a director's cut, he's talking about an assembly cut. All movies are super long in their first cut before taking shape into the final product. That doesn't make them better; it makes them slower and more bloated. At that early stage the pacing hasn't been nailed down yet. And if there were any scenes that were cut out, it's probably because they didn't work.

[@KrishanKumar-hg9kb]

@@SPEEDRAZ0R but this movie needs to be a bit more longer that's why I am saying about directors cut

[@SPEEDRAZ0R]

@@KrishanKumar-hg9kb I disagree that it needs to be longer.

[@susanlawless5578]

Great director!👌👌👌👌

[@chasehedges6775]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🤞✋

[@kingkai5115]

Watched the movie May 4 in Sydney! Had so much fun and thought the film was great, although I think it definitely suffered in the runtime because it felt a little too fast. I think 2h20 or 2h30 would of been much better where the emotional moments could be fleshed out more.

[@dicedude1071]

Hard disagree, the movie is a chase for nearly the full duration. If the movie was longer, the tension would dissipate and it wouldn't be as effective of a story

[@forbiddencroisant]

@@dicedude1071 the movie was so stuffed it allowed for no development. America Chavez felt like a plank of wood. More runtime definitely would've helped. And they could've *actually explored some multiverses like the title says*

[@Zaz5y]

@@forbiddencroisant That's because the movie doesn't care about America Chavez. The loss of her parents scene is played for laughs and there are no moments that try to make you care, which is a good thing.

[@user-vz5lw2pu8t]

@@Zaz5y played for laughs? Did we see the same movie 🤨

[@Zaz5y]

@@user-vz5lw2pu8t Yes but you might have not gotten it idk. Sam Raimi certainly is able to filter people easily.

[@dbog5214]

Give me a directors cut

[@Emil-Roma]

I think it's fairly obvious that this movie suffered from the pandemic, the change of hands (writer, director, composer, etc.), so maybe a version of this longer cut would be great. And it would fit perfectly Disney+ anyway, so I hope we do get to see it worked on and eventually released.

[@forbiddencroisant]

It certainly didn't suffer from the pandemic. It suffered from Kevin Feige's relentless controlling of every detail on every movie.

[@Anonymous-pt6sv]

Man I loved this movie

[@IsaiasMGPalafox]

So happy for this man. He deserves all the praise. U can tell he really cares about the art form of filmmaking. The MCU, imo, needed some Raimi in it. I hope this leads to more projects for Raimi. I saw MoM twice in 3D, once for a Thursday night showing n again this past Monday. I adore the film. 💯

[@loferx]

I knew it! If there's a movie in this phase 4 that needs an extended edition, is MoM

[@kevintheodoreofficial]

I loved the movie, and just want the extended cut simply bc I want to see more of it. Release the Raimi cut!!

[@jimramos2613]

To be honest I like his style like the one from Spider-Man and the other ones from his other movies but this is kind of like different the one from his past and it looks great in Doctor Strange 2 👍. So I really hope Sam Raimi comes back and do another doctor strange movie after this movie I think he's great and whenever he decides to come back it's his call his choice or the marvel wants him back come on at least he did something really great 🙏👍💯

[@Jellybob69]

It felt way more like Evil Dead than his Spider-Man movies

[@georgehernandez2156]

He probably wont. Marvel really cut up his movie and he wants freedom .

[@salverobosa7135]

@@georgehernandez2156 He literally said that he was given full creative freedom by Marvel, and that they were supportive about his decisions. It was his decision to cut those 40 minutes.

[@delix787]

@@salverobosa7135 which version of create freedom? 💀

[@forbiddencroisant]

@@salverobosa7135 bruh no it wasn't. Dude has said he wanted the movie to be much longer. And it's quite obvious in the movie that it was supposed to be longer.

[@Sean-dp9zz]

He seems so gentle and kind. There's a bit of warmth when he speaks.

[@norbertorivera9791]

Movie was awesome, had no fillers at all

[@sunnysied713]

The Bruce Campbell scenes were fillers that served no narrative purpose, other than fan service to Raimi fans.

[@BurgoYT]

@@sunnysied713 very tiny scenes

[@themichaeldude89]

@@sunnysied713 *The rest of the movie was filler for the Bruce Campbell scenes

[@captainramsey6121]

Sam is such a sweetheart❤💯

[@Lalaxbo]

I enjoyed watching Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness and i thought Sam Raimi did a great job directing it . I hope we will see a Sam Raimi of Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness.

[@RACineFilmagensFotos]

Humble and brilliant guy

[@kwfown]

I’ve just seen the movie, I’m just gonna say, I cannot wait to hope to see the 2:40 version of the movie

[@NoCoArts]

i dont think we ever will

[@voldy3565]

@@NoCoArts Why?

[@forbiddencroisant]

@@voldy3565 MCU doesn't do stuff like that

[@papabear6611]

It was a great movie, but I need the rami cut in order to appreciate it more

[@Maverick.D.]

I need to see that longer cut.

[@APeterson95]

Wow. I’m new to this channel but this interviewer rocked

[@raymondseye]

Sam Raimi is the man! Luv him! Hope to see him direct more superhero movies. He the best

[@voldy3565]

I hope they release the extended cut.

[@Winter-yg1yn]

Good interview

[@rrsidentfrickhoe]

Really good interviewer

[@notmiscares3918]

I really think the movie could have benefited from the extra 40 minutes, but the end result was good anyway

[@jimramos2613]

To be honest I think Sam Raimi did incredible job direct Doctor Strange 2 amazing even the movies is about to be out this Friday I mean I can't wait I know everyone saw it and everyone doesn't see it just wait until Friday 👍👏👏❤️🙌⚡💯

[@delix787]

I don't understand the media lol. When the movie was released they were praising Sam Raimi for refreshing MCU!! Now they're taking back what they all said... And now saying they are all upset cuz his style doesn't in movies today, and it shouldn't be in the MCU!!!??? And also complaining Doctor Strange didn't develop at all in his own movie.... Y'all need to know Sam Raimi can't go completely all out!! He was hired to directed it with Kevin Foggy's image and story! Sam was thankfully permission to add his horror elements to it... But stop blaming sam for everything!!! They also had to cut 45 minutes that could have helped the movie better!!! Also Sam Raimi knows how to blend comedy Done right in a movie! The MCU literally sacrifices scenes and dialogue for the sake of a joke and it doesn't land!!! Sam Raimi blends in comedy with human elements that makes you feel sad, and funny at the same time.. It was perfect!!! :)

[@dcluvspie5777]

He's so fucking humble guy's a master of his Craft has made multiple successful movies and still believes he can do more to hone his craft sign of a true visionary!!!

[@adityavishwakarma969]

I need Sam Raimi's Cut

[@mukthadirali6672]

Is there a longer interview somewhere?

[@BuzzardPlanet97]

Honestly I didn’t feel like the movie was too rushed but that being said I certainly wouldn’t mind an extended cut

[@An_Addict_Gamer]

Release the Raimi cut!

[@tokyojake1223]

Don’t start/: everything that was cut in the release was cut by raimi

[@nuthead-i-am]

@@tokyojake1223 lmao dude r u fo real? Raimi doesn't even know which three scenes had been cut

[@salverobosa7135]

@@nuthead-i-am uhh yes he knows. he knows what scenes were cut. the only thing he didn't know are the deleted scenes that Marvel is gonna include in the blu-ray release

[@tyc9909]

YOOOOO IRL INTERVIEW NICEEEEE

[@sekitarsemenit]

3:49 So, the original cut (Raimi) was 2h 40m 😗, and then Studio cut them into 2h 10m?? Disney, you are evil

[@yeetboi9817]

He's a great director. Even Spiderman 3 is well directed, any issues with that movie are script based, visually its on par with the others.

[@4thpeverell142]

*nearly the best in the trilogy visually

[@yeetboi9817]

@@4thpeverell142 yeah that sandman scene, the sewer fight, and many more are all fantastic

[@4thpeverell142]

@@yeetboi9817 SM3 plot wise and script wise, sucks. Period. But visually? It's the best in the trilogy.

[@yusashow]

I beg the people in the comments to learn what a first cut is

[@MFobe]

Sam rami the absolute goat 🐐 🙌 loved this movie 🎬 😏

[@Metarockerlml]

Sam Raimi gave us another masterpiece, as allways.

[@louispacetime1576]

I love this man

[@movies_matteo7271]

Shoutout to OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL. Raimi directed a wonderous, family fantasy!

[@SweatDrenchedProductions]

Raimi audio commentary please for the film

[@thecomicdirector8417]

I actually liked oz the great and powerful

[@HoDoBoDo]

Same, but I really don't like James Franco. He's a good actor, but not a great person.

[@REaDComicsau]

Amazing movie

[@maplestreetpictures7454]

Sam Raimi is so Wonderful

[@Evaquiel]

good interviewer. give him a raise.

[@x-crisis]

Following up on the deleted scenes by asking about the first cut was a good move to pull that information out.

[@steveyj3002]

They should rerelease it before taking it out of theaters

[@GodsJoseph13]

Whoa

[@shermanshecapio3944]

Sam Raimi initially didn't want to direct any future superhero films, having lost faith in himself due to the critical and audience backlash he received from Spider-Man 3 (2007) due to studio interference from Sony. However, getting the call from his agent about this film encouraged him to try again, as he had thoroughly enjoyed the first Doctor Strange film (as well as the character himself) and wanted to see if he could live up to the challenge of meeting the audience's expectations once again.

[@McdonaldeS1986]

SCOTTY!!!!! SCOTT

[@richardfelix6957]

Could this cut have tom cruise iron man or even Tobey Maguires Spiderman

[@ode4real]

Glad this isn't a zoom interview

[@user-im8oh4lv1d]

Our Mordo, whom we know was killed by Wanda, beheaded him. But the scene was cut. They probably didn’t want to show in the first minutes of the film what the villain was

[@ery8885]

At the end the most helpful production tools for Sam Raimi to making movies is not a cgi software or any tools for special effect, but it is Zoom instead 🤣🤣

[@vichukuttan9625]

Who are you to mock a legend

[@Max-my6rk]

Give me Raimi cut... give me more of Wanda scenes... Give me that Wanda vs Mordo scene!!!!

[@bossisin2510]

The main problem with this film was the screenplay. Not Sam Raimi.

[@landofthelostzRo]

Hes so talented, i just wish he was allowed to make the movie he wanted. Not the studios.

[@gamemonster7]

dr strange:: MOM was like evil dead 4

[@landofthelostzRo]

If evil dead was garbage lol

[@Beastinvader]

The movie felt like it didn't have a first act

[@BIGwillTHEGAME]

KZbin Recommended

[@FEARisCOLD]

Listening to him breaks my heart. This movie is very much not his. He sounds like a guest director on a tv show.

[@MasterChris666]

Love Sam not happy movie had two film makers on movie

[@andrewmontano6010]

I know that why it’s so Decisive I wonder why the original cut was and I bet it was 💯 better

[@damaniqphillip2756]

Wow

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

He's totally lying about the cameos. You know damn well that Bruce's cameo was nothing but there for fan laughs lol. His character means nothing other than that... I would laugh sooo much harder though if I'm wrong and Bruce comes back for something more meaningful than trying to mustard our hero lololol.

[@oujimandias6485]

Pizza Poppa 🍕 Notice how many P's in the poppa. Then flip it up. 666. Mephisto confirmed.

[@MyLateralThawts]

It’s a good movie, but story wise, it’s seriously flawed. Props to Sam for making it visually stunning, however, they really needed to rethink their villain. They mentioned “Nightmare” and Cthon several times, implying that one or the other (possibly both) could have been the master manipulators behind the horrific acts we saw. Why no one considered this is simply baffling.

[@Lavono]

Perhaps they did this for their Snyder moment lol

[@fahimalfaisal7781]

No it was Raimi’s decision !

[@heilong79]

A good film but not a great one. But it is amazing some of the actors were not even in the same room as one another, a hard way to make a movie.

[@maxpayne07]

whatever this guy said, Taika Waititi needs to note it down and anyways be cancelled from MCU. He made THOR a CLOWN. So saadd!

[@DigitalBerserk]

So basically Disney changed his worke.

[@oberoimakeoversandacademy]

We want to watch doctor strange in the multiverse of madness director cut because movie is very disappointed

[@nivla7634]

MoM - movie of messiness

[@alexmaverick6647]

How long did that take you to come up with lol

[@forbiddencroisant]

This is exactly what I expected from this movie. Typical MCU.

[@MichaelCobbs]

The first Doctor Strange movie is better than the Multiverse of Madness. The movie was too long with a lot of useless scenes.

[@Sirrajj]

Don't know why but Raimi looks like he has eaten A LOT at dinner before interview

[@alexanderwindh4830]

Yup the movie was weak. Marvel butchered it. Sam raimi is good

[@VenomTheCat]

I guess learning didn't work too well for him. This movie was a disaster

[@bruhmomento6691]

Holy L

[@kirasussane1556]

I blame the MCU machinery and not Sam Raimi. Must be hard to make a movie in such assemblage machinery. Almost all decisions are made by Kevin Feige and all those guys and little room is left for the creative people.

[@VenomTheCat]

@@kirasussane1556 I do agree with that. The little Raimi that was left was good like Campbell

[@AqwDragulum]

They have no idea how us Raimi trilogy fans are still waiting for a Raimi cut of Spider-man 3 to this day. 🥲

[@TMSokoya]

I could be wrong but I don't think there's a Raimi cut because he was already forced to include Venom in the film, which he was strongly against. A true 'Raimi cut' wouldn't have Venom or the symbiote suit at all 😅

[@nintenvlogz]

That would havto be a remade movie, which is never happening.

[@MFobe]

Sam rami the absolute goat 🐐 🙌 loved this movie 🎬 😏