Could Kevin Feige Ever Leave Marvel?
Much of this summer’s news has been surrounding the ongoing legal battle between veteran MCU actor Scarlett Johansson and her former employer the Walt Disney Company, with the proceedings reported angering Marvel’s head, we ask the question; Could Kevin Feige ever leave Marvel?
Black Widow was Marvel’s triumphant return to the film audience after a year of absence due to the massively problematic COVID-19 Pandemic.
Source: Complex.com
The film was one of the year’s best box office producers; with the post COVID world still adjusting, the film did modestly compared to Marvel films of the past.
Another contributing factor to the film’s lackluster theatre numbers is the companies assistance to shift their distribution focus from theatres to their exclusive streaming platform, Disney+.
Source: bgr.com
The lawsuit filed by Scarlett Johansson was done so to combat what the actress felt was unfair compensation and disregarded the contractual obligations of the Walt Disney Company.
The Studio committed to the premiere access package offered at Disney+, which hurt the companies box office numbers; numbers Johansson’s contract was dependent on.
It has been reported to many sources that the vitriolic shots taken by Disney superseding the filing have angered Marvel head, and MCU architect, Kevin Feige.
There is no better-known film executive than Kevin Feige, and perhaps no producer has had a bigger impact on their respective place of employment than Feige has had on Marvel and Disney.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (9727221ce)
Kevin Feige
‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’ film premiere, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA – 25 Jun 2018
With the producer being angered by Disney’s recent stance, could Kevin Feige ever leave MArvel?
Observer.com reported the reality that Feige had already threatened the company with his resignation once before; which makes the prospect of a Feige-less Marvel studios sound more realistic.
Image: Disney
2015 was a year where Feige had taken the MCU well into its established state; with the studio, right on the edge of Captain America: Civil War, Feige was being hamstrung by Marvel Creative Committee to limit the budget of a film that would serve as a defining MCU staple.
The man had earned the company billions and was upset at their perception of the film’s budget considering his track record.
Image: Marvel
The difference between Feige’s issues with the company then and now is three letters; CEO.
Bob Iger was the voice of reason for the company; he was the one who solved Feige’s problems, he was the one who helped him find the comfort to stay, and he was the one who always ensured talent was more than taken care of; that they felt cared for.
Replacing Iger is Bob Chapek, and the question still stands as to how Feige will respond to Chapek’s style of leadership in the long term.
If the reports are any indication, things are off to a rocky start, with Chapek lacking the empathy towards talent that Iger had in droves.
Feige leaving Marvel isn’t an impossibility; and only time will tell if the most accomplished executive on the planet, maybe looking for a new universe to build.
Feature Image: (Photo by Disney/Image Group LA via Getty Images)
