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Sam Raimi has officially broken his silence on his biggest MCU regret, confessing that Rachel McAdams was "underutilized" in the doctor strange cast. The legendary director revealed he made a personal vow to reunite with the actress, a promise he finally fulfilled in his new 2026 survival horror hit, Send Help.
What did Sam Raimi say about his Marvel experience?
In an official statement that has quickly triggered a massive social media reaction, Raimi admitted that despite McAdams’ return as Christine Palmer in the 2022 sequel, her immense talent wasn't fully tapped. "I saw how talented she was and actually underutilized and I promised myself that I would work with her again," Raimi told Variety during the press tour for his latest project.
The director’s guilt stems from the limited screen time McAdams received compared to the heavy hitters in the doctor strange sequel. While fans were happy to see her back, many felt her character remained sidelined amidst the multiverse-hopping chaos.
Key Takeaways from Raimi’s Revelation:
- The Promise: Raimi felt McAdams’ "warmth" and "gusto" were wasted on a supporting role.
- The Redemption: He specifically cast her in Send Help to showcase her range as a "terrible villain."
- The Collaboration: Raimi cited a specific "ghost scene" in the MCU as the moment he knew he needed to work with her again.
Why did the 'Doctor Strange' cast underutilize her?
While the doctor strange cast is packed with A-list talent like Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen, critics have often argued that McAdams was relegated to the "concerned girlfriend" trope. This Hollywood update confirms that even the director felt the weight of that missed opportunity.
In Send Help, Raimi flips the script entirely. Working alongside Dylan O’Brien, McAdams sheds her "good person" image to play a role described as "nightmare fuel." This shift has sparked viral rumors about whether McAdams will ever return to the MCU or if she’s done with blockbusters in favor of Raimi’s "gonzo" horror style.
Was Christine Palmer supposed to be Clea?
The "Information Gain" here is the brewing theory among Marvel die-hards. With Raimi admitting she was underutilized, exclusive details from early production drafts suggest there were once talks of McAdams playing a variant who actually becomes Clea (now played by Charlize Theron). Raimi’s regret might hint that he originally wanted a much meatier, magical arc for McAdams that was eventually cut by the studio.
Why This Matters for the Future of Sam Raimi and Marvel
This admission is more than just a director being polite; it’s a peek into the creative tensions of making a Marvel movie. Raimi’s move to 20th Century Studios for Send Help allowed him the "experimental" freedom that he felt was missing during his time in the Multiverse.
What do you think, Marvel fans? Was Rachel McAdams wasted in the Doctor Strange movies, or was her role the perfect anchor for Stephen’s humanity? Let us know in the comments!
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