User:Limorina/Development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
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The
By 2005,
Marvel Studios developed specific business practices to create its shared universe. For example, when the studio hired Kenneth Branagh and Joe Johnston to direct Thor and Captain America, respectively, it made sure both directors were open to the idea of a shared universe, and that they would have to include Avengers setup scenes in their films. Joe Russo, one of the directors of Captain America: The Winter Soldier added, "That's the exciting component of [incorporating references to the larger universe]. 'What can we set up for the future?' You're constantly pitching out ideas that not only affect your movie, but may have a ripple effect that affects other films... It's a weird sort of tapestry of writers and directors working together to create this universe that's sort of organic." Joe's brother and co-director, Anthony, added, that in order for directors to "fit" in at Marvel, they must "understand how [to] take a larger story and wrangle in [sic] into a moment, yet keep [it] connected." The studio chose filmmakers that were considered "out-of-left-field", given their previous work. Feige remarked, "You don't have to have directed a big, giant visual-effects movie to do a big, giant visual-effects movie for us. You just have to have done something singularly sort of awesome," adding "It's worked out well for us when we've taken people [such as Jon Favreau, Joss Whedon, Branagh and the Russo brothers,] that have done very, very good things. Very rarely are one of those good things a big giant blockbuster superhero movie." Marvel also began contracting their actors for multiple films, including signing actor Samuel L. Jackson to a then "unprecedented" nine-movie contract.
Over time, the distribution rights to Marvel Studios' films changed hands on multiple occasions. In November 2006, it was announced that The Incredible Hulk would be distributed by
In November 2013, Feige said that "in an ideal world" releases each year would include one film based on an existing character and one featuring a new character, saying it's "a nice rhythm" in that format. While not always the case, as evident by the 2013 releases of Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, he said it is "certainly something to aim for." As such, he added that there are "additional stories of the existing characters in development and the new ones" that have been mentioned previously. In February 2014, Feige stated that Marvel Studios wants to mimic the "rhythm" that the comic books have developed, by having the characters appear in their own films, and then come together, much like "a big
On expanding the characters in the universe and letting individual films breath and work on their own, opposed to having Avenger team ups outside of those films, Feige stated, it’s about "Teaching the general movie going audience about the notion of the characters existing separately, coming together for specific events and going away and existing separately in their own worlds again. Just like comic readers have been doing for decades and decades... People sort of are accepting that there's just a time when they should be together and there’s a time when they’re not."
Films
"It's never been done before and that's kind of the spirit everybody's taking it in. The other filmmakers aren't used to getting actors from other movies that other filmmakers have cast, certain plot lines that are connected or certain locations that are connected, but I think ... everyone was on board for it and thinks that it's fun. Primarily because we've always remained consistent saying that the movie that we are making comes first. All of the connective tissue, all of that stuff is fun and is going to be very important if you want it to be. If the fans want to look further and find connections, then they're there. There are a few big ones obviously, that hopefully the mainstream audience will able to follow as well. But ... the reason that all the filmmakers are on board is that their movies need to stand on their own. They need to have a fresh vision, a unique tone, and the fact that they can interconnect if you want to follow those breadcrumbs is a bonus."
—Kevin Feige, President of Production for Marvel Studios, on constructing a shared film universe.[1]
By 2005,
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Kevin_Feige_%2848462887397%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/170px-Kevin_Feige_%2848462887397%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
In 2007, at 33 years old, Feige was named studio chief. In order to preserve its artistic integrity, Marvel Studios formed a creative committee of six people familiar with its comic book lore: Feige, Marvel Studios co-president Louis D'Esposito, Marvel Comics' president of publishing Dan Buckley, Marvel's chief creative officer Joe Quesada, writer Brian Michael Bendis, and Marvel Entertainment president Alan Fine, who oversaw the committee.[5] Feige initially referred to the shared narrative continuity of these films as the "Marvel Cinema Universe",[9] but later used the term "Marvel Cinematic Universe".[10] Since the franchise expanded to other media, this phrase has been used by some to refer to the feature films only.[11] Marvel designated the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Earth-199999 within the continuity of the company's comic multiverse, a collection of fictional alternate universes.[12]
In November 2013, Feige said that "in an ideal world" releases each year would include one film based on an existing character and one featuring a new character, saying it's "a nice rhythm" in that format. While not always the case, as evident by the 2013 releases of
On expanding the characters in the universe and letting individual films breathe and work on their own, as opposed to having Avenger team-ups outside of Avengers films, Feige stated, it is about "teaching the general movie-going audience about the notion of the characters existing separately, coming together for specific events and going away and existing separately in their own worlds again. Just like comic readers have been doing for decades and decades ... people sort of are accepting that there's just a time when they should be together and there's a time when they're not."[21] In April 2014, Feige revealed that Edgar Wright's pitch for Ant-Man in 2006 helped shape the early films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, saying, "We changed, frankly, some of the MCU to accommodate this version of Ant-Man. Knowing what we wanted to do with Edgar and with Ant-Man, going years and years back, helped to dictate what we did with the roster for Avengers the first time. It was a bit of both in terms of his idea for the Ant-Man story influencing the birth of the MCU in the early films leading up to Avengers."[22]
In October 2014, Marvel held a press event to announce the titles of their
By September 2015, after Marvel Studios was integrated into The Walt Disney Studios with Feige reporting to Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn instead of Marvel Entertainment CEO Isaac Perlmutter,[24] the studios' creative committee had "nominal" input on the films moving forward, though they continued to consult on Marvel Television productions, which remained under Perlmutter's control.[25][26] All key film decisions going forward were to be made by Feige, D'Esposito and Victoria Alonso.[25] At the end of the month, on how much story is developed for future films of the universe, Feige said there are "broad strokes" though sometime "super-specific things. But for the most part, in broad strokes that are broad enough and loose enough that, if through the development of four of five movies before we get to the culmination ... we still have room to sway and to move and to go and to surprise ourselves in places that we end up. So that all the movies, hopefully when they're finished, will feel like they're all interconnected and meant to be and planned far ahead, but really can live and breathe enough as individual movies to be satisfying each and of themselves." The studio also has various contingency plans for the direction of all of their films, in the event they are unable to secure a certain actor to reprise a role, or re-acquire the film rights to a character, such as was done in February 2015 with Spider-Man.[27]
In April 2016, on moving the universe to Phase Four and reflecting on the first three, Feige said, "I think there will be a finality to moments of Phase Three, as well as new beginnings that will mark a different, a very different, a distinctively different chapter in what will someday be a complete first saga made up of three phases." Joe Russo added, "You build things up and people enjoy the experiences you've built up. But then you kind of reach an apex or you reach a climax, a moment where you go, 'This structure is really going to start to be repetitious if we do this again, so what do we do now?' So now, you deconstruct it. We're in the deconstruction phase with [Captain America:] Civil War and leading into [Avengers:] Infinity War, which are the culmination films."[28] A year later, Feige felt after the conclusion of Phase Three, Marvel might abandon grouping the films by phases, saying, "it might be a new thing".[29] Feige mentioned that Avengers: Endgame would provide "a definitive end" to the films and storylines preceding it, with the franchise having "two distinct periods. Everything before [Endgame] and everything after".[30]
On the potential for "superhero fatigue", Feige stated, "This year [2016], we've got Civil War and we've got Doctor Strange in November, two completely different movies. To me, and to all of Marvel Studios, that's what keeps it going. As long as we're surprising people, as long as we're not falling into things becoming too similar ... next year, [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2], [Spider-Man: Homecoming], Thor: Ragnarok. Those are three totally different movies ... as long as the only shared thing is they come from the same source material and they've got our Marvel logo in front of the movies. Other than that they can be very distinct. What other studios do, what other properties, nothing we can do about it."[31]
In December 2017,
Distributors
Over time, the
In late December 2009, The Walt Disney Company purchased Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion. Additionally, in October 2010, Walt Disney Studios bought the distribution rights for The Avengers and Iron Man 3 from Paramount Pictures,
In February 2015,
In August 2019, it was reported that Disney and Sony could not reach a new agreement regarding Spider-Man films, with Marvel Studios and Feige said to no longer have any involvement in future films. Deadline Hollywood noted that Disney had hoped future films would be a "50/50 co-financing arrangement between the studios", with the possibility to extend the deal to other Spider-Man-related films, an offer Sony rejected and did not counter. Instead, Sony hoped to keep the terms of the previous agreement (Marvel receiving 5% of the film's first dollar gross), with Disney refusing.
Television
Marvel Television
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Jeph_Loeb_San_Diego_Comic_Con_2019.jpg/170px-Jeph_Loeb_San_Diego_Comic_Con_2019.jpg)
In June 2010, Marvel Television was launched with Jeph Loeb as head.[64] In October 2019, further corporate restructuring saw Feige named Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment, with Marvel Television becoming part of Marvel Studios and executives of Marvel Television reporting to Feige.[65] However, in December 2019, Marvel Television was folded into Marvel Studios, with Marvel Studios taking over production of the current series at the time; no further series from Marvel Television were being considered for development.[66]
Broadcast
By July 2012, Marvel Television had entered into discussions with
In May 2016, after ABC had canceled Agent Carter and passed on
Streaming
Netflix
By October 2013, Marvel was preparing four drama series and a miniseries, totaling 60 episodes, to present to
Quesada confirmed in April 2014 that the Netflix series would be set within the MCU.[85] Loeb explained that "Within the Marvel universe there are thousands of heroes of all shapes and sizes, but the Avengers are here to save the universe and Daredevil is here to save the neighborhood ... It does take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's all connected. But that doesn't necessarily mean that we would look up in the sky and see [Iron Man]. It's just a different part of New York that we have not yet seen in the Marvel movies."[86] In January 2015, Netflix COO Ted Sarandos said Netflix planned to release a Marvel series approximately a year apart from each other after Daredevil's April 2015 release.[87] A year later, Sarandos noted that the release schedules of the Marvel Netflix series are dependent on the "long production times and long post times. In some cases, when we have characters crossover, it makes it more difficult to manage production. It's not the goal to put out more than one or two [each] year ... The complex one is really The Defenders. The Defenders' production schedule will determine a lot of the season 2 and 3 output of those shows." He noted on potential spin-offs that "all the characters in the universe could also spin out" into their own series at some point,[88] with Netflix ordering The Punisher, a spin-off from Daredevil, that April.[89] Sarandos later stated that Netflix was trying to close the gap between releases of Marvel seasons, but would always prioritize the quality of the series over higher numbers of releases per year. He said that Netflix was open to exploring the MCU beyond the Defenders series, including potential crossovers with ABC's Marvel series.[90] In July 2016, Marvel and Netflix committed to complete production on 135 episodes by the end of 2017, making the deal the largest television production commitment in New York State. Production for the different series had engaged 500 local vendors and small businesses for various stages of development and had required over 14,000 production-related hires.[91]
In October 2018, Netflix canceled
Hulu
In August 2016, Marvel announced that
Cable
In April 2016, the ABC-owned
Crossovers to feature films
After [running something by Jeph] Loeb we'll run it through New York, Joe Quesada, Dan Buckley, and those guys. [Then we] pitch our stuff to Kevin Feige and his movie group to see if there's something we can tie into, to see if they're okay about us using a character, or a weapon or some other cool thing. Everything is interconnected.
—Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producer Jeffrey Bell in September 2014, explaining the process of working in with the MCU[117]
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producer Jeffrey Bell revealed at the show's 2014 PaleyFest panel that the producers and writers are able to read the screenplays for upcoming MCU films to know where the universe is heading.[118] He noted that since the films have to be "big" and move "quickly through a lot of huge pieces", it is beneficial for the films to have the television series fill in any "gaps" for them.[119] His fellow executive producer Jed Whedon explained that each Marvel project is intended to stand alone first before there is any interweaving, and noted that the series has to be aware of the film division's plans so as not to interfere when introducing someone or something to the universe.[120] Bell said this was preferable so that people who do not watch the films can still follow the series, and vice versa.[119] Joss Whedon noted that this process "unfortunately just means the TV show gets, you know, leftovers". He stated that, for example, the series' creative team initially wanted to use Loki's scepter from The Avengers but were unable due to his plans for it in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).[121]
In April 2014, Quesada stated that, beyond connecting to themselves, the Netflix series would connect with the films and other television series.[85] In October 2014, Feige said the opportunity "certainly" existed for characters in the Netflix series to appear in Avengers: Infinity War (2018).[20] In March 2015, Loeb spoke on the ability for the Netflix series to crossover with the films and the ABC series, saying, "As it is now, in the same way that our films started out as self-contained and then by the time we got to The Avengers, it became more practical for Captain America to do a little crossover into [Thor: The Dark World] and for Bruce Banner to appear at the end of Iron Man 3. We have to earn that. The audience needs to understand who all of these characters are and what the world is before you then start co-mingling".[122] In September 2015, Feige elaborated on the films referencing the television series, saying "I think that's inevitable at some point ... The schedules do not always quite match up to make that possible. It's easier for [the shows]. They're more nimble and faster and produce things quicker than we do, which is one of the main reasons you see the repercussions of Winter Soldier or [Avengers: Age of Ultron] in the show ... by the time we start doing a movie, they'd be mid-way through a season. By the time our movie comes out, they'd be [starting the next season]. So finding the timing on that is not always easy."[27]
Loeb talked further on the subject in July 2016, reiterating the issue of scheduling by saying "if I'm shooting a television series and that's going to go on over a six-month or eight-month period, how am I going to get [a television series actor] to be able to go be in a movie?" He noted that this would not be as much of an issue if characters were making very minor cameo appearances, but explained that Marvel was not interested in cameos and Easter eggs just for the sake of fan service, which could detract from the story being told; "As I often get reported by you folks for saying #ItsAllConnected, our feeling is that the connection isn't just whether or not somebody is walking into a movie or walking out of a television show. It's connected in the way that the shows come from the same place, that they are real, that they are grounded."[123] Eric Carroll, producer on Spider-Man: Homecoming, felt with the introduction of Queens-based Spider-Man to the MCU it "would be really fun" to make mention of the Defenders based in Manhattan, adding, "it's definitely a card I would love to see played, if not sooner rather than later."[124]
In January 2017,
Loeb said in July 2017 that Marvel Television had no plans for series to crossover across networks. Specifically for the similarly themed Cloak & Dagger, New Warriors, and Runaways, which all deal with young heroes, Loeb noted, "You'll see things that comment on each other; we try to touch base wherever we can... things that are happening in L.A. [where Runaways is set] are not exactly going to be affecting what's happening in New Orleans [where Cloak & Dagger is set]... It's being aware of it and trying to find a way for it to be able to discuss in a way that makes sense."
In June 2018, speaking to how the MCU television series would be affected by the events of Avengers: Infinity War, Loeb noted that "For the most part our stories will take place before Thanos clicked his fingers. A lot of that has to do with production and when we are telling our stories versus when the movies come out."[130] In September 2018, with the report of Marvel Studios developing limited series for Disney's streaming service Disney+, it was expected that the actors that portrayed the characters in the films would portray them again for the limited series.[131] In March 2019, Feige said the series would take characters from the films, change them, and see those changes reflected in future films; new characters introduced in the series will crossover to the films.[132][133]
In April 2019, actor
Disney+
By November 2017, Disney was looking to develop a new Marvel television series for their streaming service Disney+.[140] In July 2018, Feige noted discussions had begun with Disney regarding any potential involvement Marvel Studios could have with the streaming service, since Feige felt the service was "an important thing for the company".[141] In September 2018, it was reported that Marvel Studios was developing several limited series centered on "second-tier" characters from the MCU films who had not and were unlikely to star in their own films. Each series was expected to be six to eight episodes, and would be produced by Marvel Studios rather than Marvel Television, with Feige taking a "hands-on role" in each series' development.[131] Feige noted the series being developed for the streaming service would "tell stories... that we wouldn't be able to tell in a theatrical experience – a longer-form narrative".[142] He also added that being asked by Disney to create these series "energized everyone creatively" within Marvel Studios, since they "could play in a new medium and throw the rules out the window in terms of structure and format".[143]
In July 2019, Feige announced the event series of
Other media
In 2008, the first tie-in comic was released.[148] Quesada outlined his plan to expand the MCU into comic books, saying, "The MCU [comics] are going to be stories set within movie continuity. [They are] not necessarily direct adaptations of the movies, but maybe something that happened off screen and was mentioned in the movie ... Kevin Feige is involved with these and in some cases maybe the writers of the movies would be involved [as well.]"[149] Marvel Comics worked with Brad Winderbaum, Jeremy Latcham, and Will Corona Pilgrim at Marvel Studios to decide which concepts should be carried over from the Marvel Comics Universe to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, what to show in the tie-in comics, and what to leave for the films.[150] Marvel has clarified which of the tie-in comics are considered canonical MCU stories, with the rest merely inspired by the MCU, "where we get to show off all the characters from the film in costume and in comic form".[151]
In August 2011, Marvel announced a series of direct-to-video short films called Marvel One-Shots,[152] the name derived from the label used by Marvel Comics for their one-shot comics.[153] Co-producer Brad Winderbaum said, "It's a fun way to experiment with new characters and ideas, but more importantly it's a way for us to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe and tell stories that live outside the plot of our features."[152] Each short film is designed to be a self-contained story that provides more backstory for characters or events introduced in the films.[154] In July 2012, D'Esposito stated that Marvel was considering the idea of introducing established characters who may not yet be ready to carry their own feature films in future One-Shots, stating, "There's always a potential to introduce a character. We have 8,000 of them, and they can't all be at the same level. So maybe there are some that are not so popular, and we introduce them [with a short] – and they take off. I could see that happening."[155]
In March 2015, Marvel's Vice President of Animation Development and Production, Cort Lane, stated that animated tie-ins to the MCU were "in the works".
Business practices
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Joss_Whedon_by_Gage_Skidmore_7.jpg/170px-Joss_Whedon_by_Gage_Skidmore_7.jpg)
Marvel Studios developed specific business practices to create its shared universe, including choosing filmmakers that were considered "out-of-left-field", given their previous work. Feige remarked, "You don't have to have directed a big, giant visual-effects movie to do a big, giant visual-effects movie for us. You just have to have done something singularly sort of awesome,"[162] adding "It's worked out well for us when we've taken people [such as Jon Favreau, Joss Whedon, Kenneth Branagh, and the Russo brothers,] that have done very, very good things. Very rarely are one of those good things a big giant blockbuster superhero movie."[163] The studio looks for filmmakers to hire who are able to guide a film.[164] When hiring directors, the studio usually has "a kernel of an idea of what we want", which is presented to potential directors over the course of several meetings to discuss and further expand. "And if over the course of three or four or five meetings they make it way better than what we initially were spewing to them, they usually get the job", according to Feige.[27] Later expanding on this process, Feige explained that before talking to any directors on a film, Marvel Studios often puts together a "lookbook" of influences from the comics and art by Marvel's visual development department, to create a visual template for the film. These are put together at company retreats, which the studio holds every "18 months or so" to plan out and develop the phases of the MCU. These lookbooks are not always shown to directors, though, with Marvel sometimes preferring to let the director offer their own ideas first.[165]
Scott Derrickson did not see a lookbook for Doctor Strange, instead putting together his own presentation, with concept art and storyboards by himself and professionals he hired, to sell himself and his vision of the film to Marvel. In contrast, Marvel shared several different ideas for what Thor: Ragnarok could be with prospective filmmakers, who then went away and developed what they thought the film should be from that. Taika Waititi created a sizzle reel using clips from other films to present his vision based on Marvel's ideas, a practice that Marvel discourages as they "oftentimes can be really terrible". However, Marvel thought Waititi's was "amazing". Derrickson and Waititi were both eventually hired for the films.[165] For Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Joe and Anthony Russo met with the studio four times over two months before they were hired, during which they "kept getting more and more specific about what our vision was", putting together "reference videos, storyboards, script pages, you name it. We did like a 30-page book that had everything that we'd do with the character, from the theme of the movie to the tone of the film to the fighting style to what we liked about the character and what we didn't like". This meant that by the time they were hired they had already "figured the movie out".[166]
When the studio hired Kenneth Branagh and Joe Johnston to direct Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, respectively, it made sure both directors were open to the idea of a shared universe and including Avengers set-up scenes in their films.[6] Joe Russo stated, "That's the exciting component of [incorporating references to the larger universe]. 'What can we set up for the future?' You're constantly pitching out ideas that not only affect your movie, but may have a ripple effect that affects other films ... It's a weird sort of tapestry of writers and directors working together to create this universe that's sort of organic."[21] Anthony added, "The great thing about the Marvel [Cinematic Universe], just like the publishing [arm], it's a very vast, inter-connected universe, where characters will have their rise and fall, so to speak, and hand off to other characters. As the cinematic universe moves forward, you may start to see the cinematic universe adopt that same pattern, as the publishing has, where there's closure with some characters and new beginnings with other characters."[167] He added that, for directors to "fit" in at Marvel, they must understand how to "take a larger story and wrangle it into a moment", yet keep it connected.[21]
The most simple way I could put it is Marvel doesn't come to the filmmakers and say, "Here's what the next movie is." They come to the filmmakers and say, "What is the next movie?" That's very much the process.
—Director Anthony Russo in April 2016[166]
On allowing directors and writers to work within Marvel's shared universe concept, Joe Russo said that Feige has "big pieces that he knows he wants to build towards, but the way that you get there is open to interpretation and improv a little bit". For the Russos in The Winter Soldier, they had to deal with the idea of S.H.I.E.L.D. being infiltrated by Hydra, with Joe saying, "how we get there is all up to us. And I think why Marvel has been so successful is because it's been such a clear plan, that everything is interconnected and they're building emotional capital with each movie that you can then trade off of in the next film."[168] Joe later elaborated that once each film's creative team "come up with conceptually what we want to do" for a film, then we will ask questions about whether this would interfere with a storyline in another movie. Or, what's going on in that film, can we pull some of that into this film? That's where you start looking for the interconnectedness, but it's very important early on that the concept be created in a bubble because you have to protect the idea, it has to be driven by storytelling. Kevin's ... always in the mindset of "let's just make this movie now and worry about the next movie when it comes."[166]
Loeb explained that Marvel Television sees "ourselves as producers who are working to support the vision of our showrunner. But we're involved in every aspect of the production—whether it's being in the writers' room, editing on set, casting—every step of the production goes through the Marvel team to tell the best story that we can." He added that the studio is able to work on so many series across different networks and platforms because "it just requires that we make sure that there's always someone from Marvel there to help guide the process."[169]
The thing about Marvel is ... they're looking for artists that are willing to take chances and are willing to create characters, even if that character has been around for years and years in comic books.
—
Marvel Studios also began contracting their actors for multiple films, including signing actor Samuel L. Jackson to a then "unprecedented" nine-movie contract.[171] In July 2014, Feige said that the studio has all actors sign contracts for multiples films, with the norm being for 3 or more, and the 9 or 12 film deals "more rare".[172] Actor's contracts also feature clauses that allows Marvel to use up to three minutes of an actor's performance from one film for another, which Marvel describes as "bridging material".[26] At Marvel Television, actors such as Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock / Daredevil in Daredevil) and Adrianne Palicki (Bobbi Morse / Mockingbird in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) are contractually obliged to appear in a Marvel film if asked.[173][174] In May 2015, after starring as Claire Temple in the first season of Daredevil, Rosario Dawson signed with Marvel to return for the second season of the series as part of an "exclusive TV deal" that also allows her to appear in any other Marvel Netflix series.[175] Dawson's character has been featured as well in all the other Netflix shows, except The Punisher, linking them together similarly to Jackson's Nick Fury in the films.[176] Dawson explained that she signs on with Marvel for a year at a time, for a certain number of episodes, and finds out which series the episodes are for closer to the time of filming.[177]
In August 2012, Marvel signed Joss Whedon to an exclusive contract through June 2015 for film and television. With the deal, Whedon would "contribute creatively" on Phase Two of the MCU and develop the first television series set in the universe.[178] In March 2013, Whedon expanded on his consulting responsibilities, saying, "I understand what Kevin [Feige] is going for and where he's heading, and I read the scripts and watch cuts and talk to the directors and writers and give my opinion. Occasionally there could be some writing. But I'm not trying to get in anybody's soup, I'm just trying to be helpful."[179] Whedon later elaborated that "Since the story has already been approved and everybody knows what we're doing with Avengers 2, we can really lay it out. It's not like anyone's saying "well I don't know, what if I need that?" It's like "doing this is troublesome for us, whereas doing this will actually help us." ... You want to honor the events of the last movie but you don't want to be beholden to them, because some people will see Avengers[: Age of Ultron] who did not see any of the movies in between or even Avengers 1." He also found working in television and script doctoring to be "great training ground[s] for dealing with this ... because you're given a bunch of pieces and told to make them fit—even if they don't."[180]
For the Russo brothers and writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely working on Avengers: Infinity War and Phase Three, they saw "a through line from Winter Soldier, through Civil War, right to Infinity War", with films like Doctor Strange and Thor: Ragnarok laying groundwork for the "culmination" in Infinity War. Subsequently, they talked "to the directors and writers of the other Phase 3 movies on an almost weekly basis, to make sure everything lines up right".[181] Peyton Reed, director of Ant-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp, felt the relationship and collaboration between the Phase Three directors was "probably the closest thing that this generation will have to a '30s- or '40s-era studio system where you are all on the lot and you are all working on different things."[182] Similarly, when developing the crossover miniseries The Defenders, showrunner Marco Ramirez consulted with the creators of all the individual Marvel Netflix series, having them read each of the scripts for The Defenders and provide insight into the individual character's world.[183]
In April 2017, along with his announcement that he was returning to write and direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), James Gunn revealed he would be working with Marvel "to help design where these stories go, and make sure the future of the Marvel Cosmic Universe is as special and authentic and magical as what we have created so far".[184] However, in July 2018, Disney and Marvel severed ties with Gunn following controversy surrounding several old jokes Gunn had made.[185][186] By that October, Disney and Marvel Studios reversed course and rehired Gunn as director of the film, which was announced in March 2019.[187][188]
By December 2020, because of the impact COVID-19 had on theaters and film studios shifting away from theatrical releases, Marvel Studios began exploring updated contracts for actors, writers, directors, and producers to receive adjusted compensation in the event a film had to debut on Disney+ instead of in theaters. TheWrap reported it was believed the new contracts would only apply to films about to enter production, and was unclear if any adjustments would be made to contracts for films already completed but not yet released.[189] In February 2021, as part of Ryan Coogler's television deal between Walt Disney Television and his production company Proximity Media, he would work alongside Marvel Studios on select Disney+ series.[146]
References
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FeigeCinemaUniverse
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeCinematicUniverse
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
MCUFilmsOnly
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Earth-199999
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
SlashFilmNov2013
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeIGNJuly2014
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
IGNFeb2014
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
BuzzFeed
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
MCU2019
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeCBRJuly2014
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Oct2014Event
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
Oct2014EventQA
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
IGNMar2014pg4
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RamaApril2014
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Oct2014EventApple
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
MarvelDisneyAug2015
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
CreativeCommitteeEnd
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
CreativeCommittee2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
FeigeSep2015
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigePhaseFour
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeColliderApr2017
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
VanityFairNov2017
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeFatigueApr2016
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
FoxDisneyPressRelease
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DisneyFoxBidIncrease
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DisneyFoxDealClose
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
THRPhase4SDCC
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
D232019Series
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
DisneyInvestorDayVerge
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
MarvelInvestorDayRoundUp
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FoxElements
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
HulkUniversal
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
ParamountInternational
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DisneyAvengersIM3
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
ParamountLogo1
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
ParamountLogo2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
VarietyParamount
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DisneyPurchase
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DisneyDistribution
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
HulkRights
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
HulkRights2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
SpideyMCU
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
WSJSpidey
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DowneySMH
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
SpideyDealClarified
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
WSJDealNumbers
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
NoNewSonyDealDeadline
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
SMHProducerFee
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
NoNewSonyDealAug2019THR
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
NoNewSonyDealAug2019Variety
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
SonyMarvelDealSM3
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
DeadlineSonyMarvelDealSM3
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FoxxSM3
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
MolinaSM3
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
GarfieldDunstSM3
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
TVLaunch
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Oct2019Restructure
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
MarvelTVFolded
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
July2012TVshow
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DeadlineSHIELDPilot
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Apr2013ABCAllAccess
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
AtwellAgentCarterTV
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DamageControl
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
LoebComediesCBJan2016
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DungeyMay2016
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
InhumansAnnouncement
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
InhumansAnnouncement2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
InhumansNoThe
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
InhumansAnnouncement3
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
InhumansTHR2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
AoSS7Final
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DeadlineTVOct2013
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DeadlineTVNov2013
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
VarietyTVNov2013
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
LoebJan2017
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
IGNApr2015
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
QuesadaNetflix
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
EW7ThingsDD
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
NetflixReleasePlans
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
SarandosJan2016
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
PunisherEWApr2016
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
SarandosJuly2016
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Netflix135
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
IFCanceledDeadline
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
SarandosNoCancelling
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
LCCanceled
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DDCanceled
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DDCanceledTHR
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
NetflixTwoYearWait
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RutbergCancellation
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Disney+PossibleNetflixRevive
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
JJPunisherCanceled
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DeadlineFeigeJan2021
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RunawaysHulu2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RunawaysSeriesOrder
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RunawaysMCU
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
HuluGRH
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
GRSHIELD
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
GRCanceled
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RunawaysCanceled
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
CloakandDaggerApr2016
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
CDAiring
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
CloakandDaggerMCU
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
NewWarriorsApril2017
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
TCAJul2017THR
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
NWBeingShopped
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
NWCanceled2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
CDCanceled
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
BellSep2014
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
AoSHitfixPg2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
BellPasteSep2015
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
AoSProducersTHR
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
JossScepter
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
LoebDigitalSpy
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
LoebJuly2016
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
HomecomingDefenders
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DOnofrioJan2017
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
MackieMar2017
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeTVCharactersMay2017
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
CoulsonAliveFilms
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
LoebOct2017
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
LoebAMAJun2018
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Disney+SeriesSep2018
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeConnectedMar2019
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeNov2019
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DArcyEndgame
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
TVSeriesTimeline
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RoxxonMarvelTV
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DarkholdWV
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DarkholdWVSchaeffer
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DarkholdWVShakman
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DisneyStreaming
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeStreamingServiceJul2018
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeStreamingTHRNov2018
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
EWWVNov2020CoverStory
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
MarvelStudiosBudgets
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FurySeries
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
CooglerSeries
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
WakandaSeriesPhaseFour
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FirstComic
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
QuesadaComicBooks
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
IM2comics
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
PilgrimCanon2015
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
ShortsAnnouncement
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
AssemblingAUniverse
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
ShortsDescription
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Item47
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
LaneECCC2015
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
WHIHPromo
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Slingshot
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DailyBugle
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DailyBugle2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
IAmGroot
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
ChooseDirector
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
IGNMar2014pg2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FastCompany
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
FeigeRetreats
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
RussosDirectingProcess
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RussosMTVAug2014
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RussosCrave
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
LoebJul2017
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DOnofrioArtists
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
THRFeb2009
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
FeigeContracts
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
CoxFilms
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
PalickiFilms
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DawsonDeal
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DawsonNoPunisher
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DawsonExplain
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
WhedonConsultDeal
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
WhedonConsultQuote
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
WhedonConsultInterview
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RussosWritersPhase3
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
ReedTHRJul2018
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
RamirezEWJan2017
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
GunnVol3Confirm
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
GunnFiredTHR
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
GunnFiredDeadline
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
GunnRehiredSooner
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
GunnRehired
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
WrapNewContractsDec2020
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).