Why Kevin Feige is Optimistic About Marvel’s Future
2023 was undeniably a difficult year for Marvel Studios. The year began with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania underperforming at the box office, continued as star Jonathan Majors was convicted of domestic assault, and Secret Invasion bombed on streaming and concluded with the massive disappointment that was The Marvels.
Examining the wreckage that was 2023, Marvel and Disney made a decision — the studio needed to slow down.
![The Marvels](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Marvels_02.jpg)
![The Marvels](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Marvels_02.jpg)
Photo: Marvel
“Maybe when you do too much, you dilute yourself a little bit,” Marvel Co-President D’Esposito told Empire. “We’re not going to do that anymore. We learned our lesson. Maybe two to three films a year and one or two shows, as opposed to doing four films and four shows.”
Feige and D’Esposito Remain Optimistic
While 2023 was clearly disappointing for Marvel, both D’Esposito and Marvel head Kevin Feige have managed to see a silver lining.
![feige](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/kevin-feige-black-widow-1024x663.jpeg)
![feige](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/kevin-feige-black-widow-1024x663.jpeg)
Source: Complex.com
“If we just stayed on top, that would have been the worst thing that could have happened to us. We took a little hit, we’re coming back strong,” Esposito said.
During The Walt Disney Company’s Q2 earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger stated that Marvel will release up to three films and two streaming series a year. This year, however, Deadpool & Wolverine will be the only Marvel film released to theaters.
![Deadpool & Wolverine](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-22-at-08-20-42-Deadpool-Wolverine-Trailer-1024x576.png)
![Deadpool & Wolverine](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-22-at-08-20-42-Deadpool-Wolverine-Trailer-1024x576.png)
Photo: Marvel
“It’s nice to be able to rally behind one feature project this year,” Feige told Empire. “I’m much more comfortable being the underdog. I prefer being able to surprise and exceed expectations. So it does seem like the last year, which has not been ideal, has set us up well for that.”
![Marvel](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/marvelstudios_logo.jpeg)
![Marvel](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/marvelstudios_logo.jpeg)
Image: Marvel.com
After a string of disappointing releases, Feige has gotten his wish. With pundits already writing Marvel’s obituary, it will be up to Deadpool & Wolverine to turn things around.