Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has been the ringleader of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since its inception, steering the ship towards a successful reign that never could have been predicted when 2008's IRON MAN began the "continuity" line of franchise films that have rocked the box office and helped make the comic book movie genre the most popular. Much has been said about the "Marvel model" of doing things, and speaking to Wired, Feige gives some insight into the inner workings, plans, and general direction of the behemoth that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
"Ask Feige what makes his particular kind of world-building possible and he says, simply, “have a plan.” It doesn’t have to be set in stone, he adds. His current estimate is that Marvel movies have been three-quarters plan and 25 percent bob-and-weave."
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As for how involved the process is when jumping into the next production, Feige says:
“Disney has allowed us to be a relatively small, tight-knit brain trust. These billion-dollar ventures come down to 10 people or fewer in a room saying, ‘You know what would be cool?’”
Talking about the risk of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and the staying power of stand-alone films, Feige says:
“It has a small, rabid fan base. Five years ago, looking at our plan, we knew that if Avengers was going to work, the movies had to stand alone. Now we have to prove to the studio that we’re more than just these five characters, these five franchises.”
We know that plans are in place for two more Marvel films on May 6, 2016 and May 5, 2017, but those titles have yet to be announced. However, Feige estimates more films that extend out much farther, saying:
“I could arguably say what we’re planning for the year 2021. Will that happen? I don’t know. But what we planned for 2015 in 2006 is happening.”
So, barring a major cinematic crash of the superhero genre, you can settle in for at least the next eight years for more Marvel mayhem on the big screen. As a huge fan of the genre as a whole, I'm all for it, although I know many predict a downturn as folks get overwhelmed and bored by it. I think the staying power will rest in the quality of the films, not the quantity.
The Marvel Phase Two slate, following IRON MAN 3 is THOR: THE DARK WORLD (check out the new trailer here!), which hits on November 8, 2013, followed by CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER on April 4, 2014, then GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY on August 1, 2014, leading to THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON on May 1, 2015, and closing with ANT-MAN on November 6, 2015.
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