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THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER ends on Disney+ today.
It's another winner from the MCU, led by all-star producer @Kevfeige.
Feige's films have made $22 bn+ worldwide, and he's got an origin story every bit as compelling as a Marvel superhero.
Time for a thread
It's another winner from the MCU, led by all-star producer @Kevfeige.
Feige's films have made $22 bn+ worldwide, and he's got an origin story every bit as compelling as a Marvel superhero.
Time for a thread
1/ Feige's origin story begins with an anecdote that foreshadows his commitment to film.
He wanted to go to @USC as a fan of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard, who all went there.
Feige got into USC when he applied, but he wasn't accepted into the film school.
He wanted to go to @USC as a fan of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard, who all went there.
Feige got into USC when he applied, but he wasn't accepted into the film school.
2/ Feige stayed at USC and applied every semester to get into the film school.
It took him 4 more tries to get in.
He started at the USC School of Cinema-Television in the second semester of his junior year in 1994.
That same year, our superhero found his mentor on his path.
It took him 4 more tries to get in.
He started at the USC School of Cinema-Television in the second semester of his junior year in 1994.
That same year, our superhero found his mentor on his path.
3/ That mentor was @ShuDonner, producer of '80s hits like MR. MOM, ST.ELMO'S FIRE and PRETTY IN PINK.
She ran The Donners' Company with her husband Richard Donner, who directed the first SUPERMAN movie in 1978.
Feige started working for them as an unpaid intern that summer.
She ran The Donners' Company with her husband Richard Donner, who directed the first SUPERMAN movie in 1978.
Feige started working for them as an unpaid intern that summer.
4/ The Donners didn't just mentor Feige at that time.
Shuler-Donner's assistant was Scott Stuber, Head of Original Films @netflix.
Donner's assistant was @geoffjohns, comic book writer and producer of DC's superhero films today.
Shuler-Donner's assistant was Scott Stuber, Head of Original Films @netflix.
Donner's assistant was @geoffjohns, comic book writer and producer of DC's superhero films today.
5/ Feige moved through the ranks with the Donners, first as an intern, then as an assistant, and then as an executive.
One of his first trials as a producer came along during the production of X-MEN in 2000.
It involved Wolverine's hair.
One of his first trials as a producer came along during the production of X-MEN in 2000.
It involved Wolverine's hair.
6/ In the comics, Wolverine has an iconic look.
But the X-Men team thought giving Hugh Jackman that look would be goofy.
Avi Arad, President of Marvel Entertainment, called Feige to check on how things were going on set on Day 1.
But the X-Men team thought giving Hugh Jackman that look would be goofy.
Avi Arad, President of Marvel Entertainment, called Feige to check on how things were going on set on Day 1.
7/ Feige said, "It's going pretty well, but his hair's not great."
Arad came down to the set and took a look.
Along with Shuler-Donner, they convinced director Bryan Singer that Wolverine needed his iconic look in the film.
Which is how we got this -
Arad came down to the set and took a look.
Along with Shuler-Donner, they convinced director Bryan Singer that Wolverine needed his iconic look in the film.
Which is how we got this -
8/ Feige's work on X-MEN impressed Arad.
He quickly hired Feige as a producer for Marvel Entertainment.
Feige would be credited as a co-producer or exec. producer on films featuring Marvel characters from 2003-2007.
(this pic features them w/ Jennifer Connelly during HULK)
He quickly hired Feige as a producer for Marvel Entertainment.
Feige would be credited as a co-producer or exec. producer on films featuring Marvel characters from 2003-2007.
(this pic features them w/ Jennifer Connelly during HULK)
9/ Feige's experience back then was enlightening and frustrating.
He learned how every studio in town, except for Warner Bros. & Disney, worked.
Sony = SPIDERMAN.
New Line = BLADE.
Fox = X-MEN and F4.
Universal = HULK.
But Feige couldn't control how these films turned out.
He learned how every studio in town, except for Warner Bros. & Disney, worked.
Sony = SPIDERMAN.
New Line = BLADE.
Fox = X-MEN and F4.
Universal = HULK.
But Feige couldn't control how these films turned out.
10/ All that changed in 2005.
Arad and COO David Maisel realized Marvel could make a lot more money by producing their own films.
They believed Feige had the experience to produce their movies in-house.
With a $525mn loan, Marvel Studios was born. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/933730/000111667905002263/ex99-1.htm
Arad and COO David Maisel realized Marvel could make a lot more money by producing their own films.
They believed Feige had the experience to produce their movies in-house.
With a $525mn loan, Marvel Studios was born. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/933730/000111667905002263/ex99-1.htm
11/ Side note: The SEC announcement reveals all the characters Marvel had to put up as collateral to get their financing.
Shang-Chi is on that list, and his feature debut is this year.
Shang-Chi is on that list, and his feature debut is this year.
12/ Feige had found his mentors, his training and his resources.
In the early days of Marvel Studios, he assembled his team, including producers Victoria Alonso and @louisde2.
D'Esposito handles talent contracts and financials and Alonso focuses on delivery and post-prod.
In the early days of Marvel Studios, he assembled his team, including producers Victoria Alonso and @louisde2.
D'Esposito handles talent contracts and financials and Alonso focuses on delivery and post-prod.
13/ In 2006, the newly minted Marvel Studios started developing IRON MAN and THE INCREDIBLE HULK.
The Marvel team got creative with how they deployed their budgets, hiring talent that wasn't considered A-list, incl. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.
Sometimes, it wasn't enough.
The Marvel team got creative with how they deployed their budgets, hiring talent that wasn't considered A-list, incl. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.
Sometimes, it wasn't enough.
13/ One example is this scene from IRON MAN.
Originally, Tony was supposed to replace his pacemaker in a CGI sequence with robot arms performing surgery.
The team couldn't afford the CGI here, so director Jon Favreau, Downey and Paltrow went with Pepper replacing it instead.
Originally, Tony was supposed to replace his pacemaker in a CGI sequence with robot arms performing surgery.
The team couldn't afford the CGI here, so director Jon Favreau, Downey and Paltrow went with Pepper replacing it instead.
14/ IRON MAN debuted on May 2, 2008.
It grossed $585 million overall, a roughly 3.5-4x return on its est. $140-165 million budget.
IRON MAN's success kickstarted the MCU, put Marvel on a path to getting bought by Disney in 2009, and to becoming the juggernaut we know today.
It grossed $585 million overall, a roughly 3.5-4x return on its est. $140-165 million budget.
IRON MAN's success kickstarted the MCU, put Marvel on a path to getting bought by Disney in 2009, and to becoming the juggernaut we know today.
15/ Unlike most superheroes, Feige doesn't seem to have any archenemies.
But reality is a constant challenge he contends with.
"Navigating reality to get your fantasy through is probably the number one job of a producer."
But reality is a constant challenge he contends with.
"Navigating reality to get your fantasy through is probably the number one job of a producer."
16/ Did you enjoy this thread?
Let me know by following me @realictionboy and RTing this thread.
I'm experimenting with threads on movies & TV - would love your feedback!
Let me know by following me @realictionboy and RTing this thread.
I'm experimenting with threads on movies & TV - would love your feedback!
Sources:
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/conversation-with-kevin-feige/id1181220690?i=1000436106656
https://variety.com/2018/film/podcasts/playback-podcast-kevin-feige-black-panther-marvel-studios-1203095749/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/marvel-studios-origin-secrets-revealed-889795
https://variety.com/2019/film/features/victoria-alonso-louis-desposito-marvel-studios-kevin-feige-avengers-1203189857/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/awards-chatter-podcast-kevin-feige-avengers-endgame-1253678
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/conversation-with-kevin-feige/id1181220690?i=1000436106656 https://variety.com/2018/film/podcasts/playback-podcast-kevin-feige-black-panther-marvel-studios-1203095749/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/marvel-studios-origin-secrets-revealed-889795 https://variety.com/2019/film/features/victoria-alonso-louis-desposito-marvel-studios-kevin-feige-avengers-1203189857/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/awards-chatter-podcast-kevin-feige-avengers-endgame-1253678
