In a recent interview, Marvel boss Kevin Feige admits that recent Marvel movies have missed the mark with fans. However, Feige is determined to fix that going forward. Speaking with Empire, Feige and fellow Marvel exec Louis D’Esposito talked about how things have gone awry for Marvel in the last few years. Also, how they intend to rectify that going forward. Starting of course with 2024’s only Marvel movie Deadpool & Wolverine.
D’Esposito admits they did too much and ensure the focus now will be on quality.
“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.” That less-is-more ethos looks set to continue in years to come. “Maybe when you do too much, you dilute yourself a little bit,” says D’Esposito. “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.”
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Feige says he relishes being the underdog again and having something to prove.
“It’s nice to be able to rally behind one feature project this year,” he tells 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.”
Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy added;
“You’d have to live under a rock not to know that the last few Marvel movies have failed to ignite the world in the way that so many did,” he says. “We do come along at an interesting time. And we are decidedly something different. Whether it is of Messianic proportions, time will tell.”
Ultimately, I don’t think Marvel will ever get back to where they were pre-Endgame. If the movies and shows improve, then the Marvel fans will return for sure. However, I can’t see Marvel capturing that casual audience they did in the past, I always recall friends of mine who are not into nerdy franchises were all going to see every Marvel movie leading up to Endgame. After that, they felt it all got a bit too spread out, unfocused and far fetched. Now they haven’t been keeping up with the MCU in years. I just can’t see those casuals coming back. However, that doesn’t means Marvel cannot continue to produce profitable movies and build up to huge event movies.
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Though, it depends on whether Marvel has learned some lessons truly. First start, improving some of the writing which has been deemed ‘good enough’ since Endgame, rather than looking or excellence. Secret Invasion especially was such a low point and lost Disney so much money on that ridiculous budget. The Marvels wasn’t a horrible film, but it was also far too expensive for the final product and as such lost a lot of money for the studio.
What do you think as Marvel boss Kevin Feige admits that recent Marvel movies have missed the mark with fans, but is determined to fix that going forward? What does Marvel need to do to get you back in theatres for each new movie? Thoughts below as always.