Over the past decade, Marvel Studios has meticulously constructed its cinematic universe, taking audiences on a captivating journey through solo adventures, epic crossovers, and thrilling team-ups. Now, in ‘Captain America: Civil War,’ the culmination of this groundwork unfolds as two franchise pillars, Chris Evans’ Captain America and Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, collide in a superhero spectacle that delves deep into their ideological differences, resulting in a battle that is not only ideological but also profoundly personal.
With the release of ‘Civil War’ in U.S. theaters this week, I had the privilege of interviewing Feige last month. While a more in-depth discussion about ‘Civil War’ will be available soon with screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, I couldn’t pass up the chance to inquire about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe from the man who holds all the secrets. Specifically, we delved into the exciting prospects for the two breakout debuts in ‘Civil War.’ Furthermore, we touched upon the status of the Inhumans movie (which has recently been removed from Marvel’s calendar), as well as updates on ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’ and ‘Doctor Strange.’ Dive into the full interview below to discover more.
The press conference made it abundantly clear that there is tremendous enthusiasm surrounding Spider-Man and everything that is happening in that realm.
When it comes to Spider-Man’s solo movie, how extensive is Marvel’s involvement in its production? Was it a significant part of the deal that he would appear in ‘Civil War’ while allowing them to have creative freedom? Or is there a close collaboration between the two parties?
FEIGE: We have a close collaboration. It’s a unique partnership where Sony Pictures is producing the film under the Marvel Studios umbrella. Amy Pascal is co-producing with us, and Sony Chairman Tom Rothman is taking the lead for Sony. We serve as the creative producers, responsible for casting the actor, introducing Spider-Man in ‘Civil War,’ and currently working on the script. Soon, we’ll be entering the production phase for the standalone Spider-Man film.
Was the deal made with a long-term vision in mind, or was it initially a one-picture arrangement to assess how things would unfold?
Was the deal made with a long-term vision in mind, or was it initially a one-picture arrangement to assess how things would unfold?
In a recent story, you confirmed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is now an open universe, allowing characters to freely cross back and forth between Sony and Marvel. Was this aspect something that had to be negotiated before finalizing the deal? How was it determined which characters would be fair game for crossovers? Was it a matter of establishing mutual trust and ensuring that both parties would deliver what the stories required?
FEIGE: I would say it was more about good faith. We were essentially extending an invitation for them to join our universe, providing us with more creative possibilities and a wider range of characters to work with as we construct compelling narratives.
Thank you! To clarify, does the story you are currently developing for Spider-Man take place before or after the events of ‘Civil War’?
Okay, that’s great to hear. One aspect that you and your team handled exceptionally well was avoiding the repetition of the origin story, a compliment I’m sure you receive often.
Is that approach also being applied to the standalone Spider-Man film? Are you proceeding with the assumption that audiences already possess the knowledge of his origin story?
FEIGE: As we work on these movies, we make sure not to take it for granted that the audience has seen all the previous films or is familiar with the comic book source material to the same extent as we are. We strive to provide all the necessary information within the context of each individual movie. However, we did assume that it’s generally safe to say that everyone knows the basic story of how Spider-Man became Spider-Man and his backstory. It’s a widely known mythology that has been depicted multiple times. So, our approach was to reveal that there has been a Spider-Man within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and introduce him, as you witnessed, in this particular movie.
While acknowledging the formative events that shaped Peter Parker’s character, our primary focus will be on his future and the journey of personal growth that lies ahead. We will hint at those significant events, but our main emphasis will be on Peter’s ongoing development and the challenges he faces as he learns to become his own hero, particularly after the impactful experience he had in ‘Civil War.’
Shifting gears, another significant breakout character in ‘Civil War’ is undoubtedly Black Panther. His portrayal was remarkable. Regarding the progress on the Black Panther film, can you share the current status of the script? Is there a finished script in place?
FEIGE: We’re in the final stages of development. We have a talented team of writers, including Ryan Coogler, who is also directing the film. He’s currently working on the draft, and we expect to have it completed very soon. Over the next few months, we’ll be making additional casting announcements, and production is scheduled to commence at the beginning of next year.
Last year, there was a rumor circulating about the status of the Inhumans movie. Can you clarify whether or not that rumor is true and provide an update on the project?
FEIGE: No, let me clarify. Since our initial Phase Three announcement, we have made exciting additions like Spider-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp. Additionally, the Walt Disney Company has announced an Indiana Jones film around a similar timeframe. As a result, the release date for the Inhumans movie may be adjusted. The extent of the adjustment is yet to be determined.
But it’s not a situation where the decision was made based on the fact that the Inhumans are already being portrayed on TV, and therefore we won’t pursue it in the movies?
FEIGE: No, it’s more about the timing. We currently have a lineup of nine significant and crucial movies that we are actively focusing on. Initially, it was ten, but now that ‘Civil War’ is complete, we’re down to nine. So, it’s a matter of prioritizing and determining the appropriate timing for the Inhumans movie.
Just nine.
FEIGE: Nine giant movies.
No big deal.
FEIGE: As I’ve mentioned previously, it’s truly remarkable that we have reached a point where we could announce a multitude of movies, and yet people still have a desire for more. They inquire about various characters and potential films. This is a testament to the enduring appeal of Marvel, its characters, and the quality of the movies we produce. It’s a delightful predicament to be in.
Indeed, that’s a topic I wanted to discuss as well. With Marvel Studios gradually increasing its output to three movies per year, there has been occasional chatter about superhero fatigue. However, it appears to be mostly speculative at this point. In your view, how far do you believe the number of annual releases can reasonably be pushed?
FEIGE: To be honest, I can’t say for certain. Our focus primarily lies on the things we have complete control over, rather than speculating about external factors. When it comes to our slate and the number of movies we release each year, you can observe a pattern. For instance, in 2014, we had ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ If you didn’t know about the connection through the mysterious purple character in the throne, you wouldn’t have guessed that these two worlds were interconnected. Similarly, in 2015, we had ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ and ‘Ant-Man.’ Besides some passing references to Stark, the Avengers, and an encounter with Falcon, these were two distinctly different movies.
Right.
FEIGE: This year, we have ‘Civil War’ and ‘Doctor Strange’ – two entirely distinct movies. That’s what keeps the momentum going for Marvel Studios, and that’s our focus. As long as we continue to surprise audiences and avoid falling into a pattern of similarity, we’re on the right track. Looking ahead to next year, we have ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,’ ‘Spider-Man,’ and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ – three films that are each completely unique in their own ways. While ‘Ragnarok’ and ‘Guardians’ may share some similarities, ‘Spider-Man’ stands out as a different experience. That’s how we approach it. We believe that as long as the common elements are the source material and our Marvel logo, the films can maintain their individuality. As for what other studios and properties do, that’s beyond our control.
You have hinted at some mind-bending concepts that will be explored in ‘Doctor Strange.’ Can we expect the film to feature groundbreaking 3D sequences that showcase these extraordinary elements?
FEIGE: Absolutely, during the production of ‘Doctor Strange,’ we had the opportunity to view the effects on a daily basis. We were among the first to witness the incredible visuals. Recently, we completed filming in New York, and those paparazzi shots capturing Ben in the comic shop and café were fantastic. We also conducted one of the initial reviews, and the utilization of 3D in the film was quite exciting. In certain instances, 3D acts as a tool to enhance the storytelling, as seen in ‘Civil War’ with the Russo brothers’ approach. However, there are other times, such as in Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book’ and definitely in ‘Doctor Strange,’ where 3D not only serves the narrative but also pushes the boundaries of the audience’s perception. Hopefully, it will immerse viewers even further and truly bend their minds, extending beyond the flat screen experience.
You mentioned that Wasp was considered for an earlier draft of ‘Civil War,’ and I’m eagerly anticipating her character’s development. Given Scott’s significant journey thus far, along with what we witness in ‘Civil War,’ can we expect ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ to heavily emphasize the “Wasp” aspect of its title?
FEIGE: I believe the focus will be quite balanced between Ant-Man and the Wasp in the film. However, it’s worth noting that bringing the audience up to speed on the Wasp’s current status may require some additional exposition. Nevertheless, the intention is to present it as a collaborative effort, a true two-hander.
And unfortunately, my time is up. Thank you very much.
FEIGE: Thank you.
