The job of a producer is one of the least glamorous in Hollywood. Unlike a director or actor, producers They work behind a screen. And while their work is just as important or more important, unless you work in the industry or are a big film fan, you’re unlikely to recognize their names. With notable exceptions such as Jerry Bruckheimer or Michael Bay. Consequently, you may have seen dozens of films made Kevin Feigebut not knowing who he is.
Role Kevin Feige in film and television it can be summed up in one sentence. It is responsible for the fact that over the past 20 years we have witnessed dozens of films and TV series starring Marvel superheroes. Thanks to his work as producerand later how General manager And president from Marvel Studios, since 2000, almost every year we can see one, two or more superhero games from the Marvel franchise. What is known today as MCUabbreviation for Marvel Cinematic Universe or Marvel Cinematic Universe. But Feige was there before the MCU, when the 21st century just started, Marvel films were starting to find success on the big screen. And this opened the door for the best of Marvel comics to be shown in cinema.
Today Kevin Feige one of the most important figures in the film and audiovisual entertainment industry. Being President Marvel Studios and commercial director Marvelis the person most responsible for deciding the audiovisual fate of this comic book publisher’s catalog of characters. A cinematic universe that directly and indirectly influenced in paper vignettes. And that, although he is going through hard times, he continues to create TV series and films, identifying trends in the entire audiovisual sector and generate profits in the hundreds of millions per film. But how did Feige become the instigator? Marvel Studios?
Kevin Feige before coming to Hollywood
The current president of Marvel Studios turns 50 today. He is married and, as a movie buff, claims to be a fan of both Star Wars and Star Trek. Although his work as a producer is currently focused on Marvel Cinematic Universe. Kevin Feige was born on June 2, 1973 in Boston, Massachusetts. But he grew up in Westfield, New Jersey. Her parents are Maralyn and Tim Feige.
His maternal grandfather was Robert Earl Shortexecutive director Procter and Gamble Productions and is responsible for some soap operas which became popular on television in the 50s and 60s. Searching for tomorrow or Another world. He also helped create television hits such as the show The Dick Van Dyke Show or adventure series Shooter.
with this family historyIt would be strange if Feige did not devote himself to something related to the world of television or television fiction. For this and perhaps other reasons, after completing his compulsory education, Kevin Feige went to study at University of Southern California (University of Southern California). Famous film directors such as George Lucas, Ron Howard And Robert Zemeckis. Although Feige had to be persistent, because although he asked to enter USC School of Cinematic Artswas not accepted until the sixth time. No wonder it’s one of the most prestigious film schools from the USA. But overcoming this obstacle, he graduated in 1995. And thanks to subsequent successes as a producer, in 2023 he received an honorary doctorate.
Feige’s early years as a producer
If we consider Filmography of Kevin Feigetheir work has always been in production. It was assistant producerassociate producer, co-producer and executive producer. And almost entirely these were Marvel films and TV series. With two exceptions. Namely, his first two works in the world of cinema. Volcano (1997) and Do you have an email (1998). Feige served as assistant producer and executive producer on both productions. Lauren Shuler Donner. Hardened by thousands of battles, she worked with, collaborated with or befriended such names as Joel Schumacher, John Hughes and Richard Donner (whom she would marry in 1985).
The collaboration between Shuler and Feige did not end there. Kevin Feige hired in 2000 to the position producer Marvel. And both would create Marvel’s first major film. X-Men. Produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter, with Kevin Feige serving as associate producer as it is a production between 20th Century Fox And Marvel Entertainment. Directed by Bryan Singer and starring Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen and Halle Berry. X-Men (2000) was the first of several films that brought Marvel characters to the big screen and received good reviews and public acclaim.
Then it will come Spider-Man (2002), on which Feige serves as associate producer. Here is the tandem between Sonythrough ColombiaAnd Marvel. And between 2003 and 2008 two sequels were released X-Men And Spider-Manmovies like Daredevil, Hulk, Punisher or Fantastic Four. Produced in collaboration with 20th Century Fox And SonyAnd Blade With New line, Marvel is successful, although some of these games are not popular with the general public. But those who do it do it in a big way. Since 2003 Feige takes on the role of executive producer.
Birth of the MCU
The year 2000 may be one of the most memorable Kevin Feige. His arrival at Marvel was the first step in everything he has achieved in over 20 years. And, according to several media outlets, his knowledge of the Marvel universe was crucial. Avi Aradwho was then CCO Marvel Entertainment and is responsible for the existence of the unit Marvel Studios for film and television it was clear to me that films would help resurrect Marvel which at the end of the 20th century experienced financial crisis on the verge of bankruptcy. Thus, Arad and his partner Isaac Perlmutter took over the comic book publisher and its catalog of characters and franchises.
So cinema was going to bring the Marvel universe to life. And, apparently, Kevin Feige knew him well. The success of the first films of the new era of Marvel in theaters was so great that Feige soon became Avi Arad’s right-hand man at Marvel Studios.. And in March 2007, he was promoted to president of production at Marvel Studios itself. From here, what we now know as the MCU was born. Firstly, with iron man (2008). The first big hit created directly Marvel. After success in cooperation with 20th Century Fox And SonyNow Marvel could fly alone. And plan a series of films that will be filmed and broadcast for years.
The Still Living Legacy of Kevin Feige
Although with The Incredible Hulk (2008) was not as successful, the following films marked the path to the MCU that was about to become squeeze out all the franchises and characters from Marvel. Icons like Thor (2011), Captain America (2011), The Avengers (2012) and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) were set to flood theaters with back-to-back films. two or three films a year. Not forgetting the Spider-Man franchise, which Sony owned the rights to but had a good relationship with. After the first trilogy, two more films were released as a reboot.
Looking ahead, Kevin Feige and Avi Arad have brought Marvel back to the forefront. From the worst moment it turned into link in audiovisual. After more than 20 years of Marvel films in hand Marvel StudiosAlmost all famous directors, actors and screenwriters were involved in this Marvel cinematic universe in one way or another. As happens in Hollywood, the success was so great that been used for too long until it wears out and satiate most of the public. Intricate and intersecting plots, excessive use of computer graphics or a set of cliches and commonplaces that are found in all parts. Something inevitable considering Disney acquired Marvel in 2009. But the numbers speak for themselves, and Marvel movies and TV shows continue to make a lot of money. Although here the priority is quantity over quality.
Being President Marvel Studios and since the end of 2019 as director of enterprise management Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Comics, Marvel Television And Marvel Animationit is obvious that Kevin Feige is the most important figure in the organizational structure, responsible for the future of characters such as Iron Man, Captain America, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers and franchises that he still does not control 100%, such as X-Men. Spider-Man or Fantastic Four. Launch MCU It was something amazing. And it will be possible to restore its good reputation and prestige from the first years another titanic task for which Feige will need all his talent. And one of the best thinking directors of modern audiovisual films.
Currently Kevin Feige perhaps the most important figure to Marvel. In his hands are such important decisions as rebooting the Fantastic Four and integrating them into the MCU, determining the direction of future productions, and, of course, he is the visible face of the entire universe. Marvel Cinematic Universe. Without going into detail, this summer he was responsible for announcing future Marvel films and TV series in San Diego Comic-Con. For better or worse, Marvel’s future is secure, on both the small and big screen, under direction by Kevin Feige.
Source: Hiper Textual
