Warner Bros Tried to Steal Kevin Feige from Marvel to Save DC, But It Failed Miserably

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A surprising tidbit that may have caused ripples in Hollywood not long ago has been confirmed by the Wall Street Journal: Warner Bros. made an attempt to attract Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios’ head honcho, to manage DC instead. In other words, during the aftermath of Justice League, Warner Bros., struggling with its own superhero universe, discreetly reached out to the designer of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a bid to rescue their faltering empire.

After a short while, there was a meeting between Warner executives and Kevin Feige, who had been with Marvel Studios for a long time, in an attempt to persuade him to change his allegiance… However, these discussions didn’t bear fruit.

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Shortly after that, representatives from Warner met with Kevin Feige of Marvel Studios to try to persuade him to switch camps… But the conversations didn’t lead to any agreements.

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Not long afterwards, Warner executives held a meeting with Kevin Feige from Marvel Studios in an attempt to convince him to defect… However, these negotiations fell through.

In that period, the strategy appeared logical in theory. Marvel was producing blockbuster films and immersed in the Infinity Saga, constructing a formidable interconnected universe that seemed unbeatable. However, DC found itself grappling with the disappointing box office performance of Justice League and the collapse of the ill-fated “Snyderverse.

Warner Bros., at one point, lacked a defined strategy, a blueprint, and a decisive leadership in managing their superhero franchises. In an attempt to challenge Marvel’s dominance, the studio found itself in an unprecedented situation, considering the unorthodox approach of poaching the key figure responsible for their success.

However, Feige remained steadfast, showing loyalty towards Disney. As a result, Warner Bros. had no choice but to explore other options. Interestingly, this rejection might have ultimately proven beneficial for them.

Kevin Feige: A Career Collapsing in Real Time

Over time, the esteem for Feige’s skills in franchise movie production has noticeably diminished following the release of Avengers: Endgame.

Since 2019, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced a series of financial disappointments at the box office, an overabundance of content on streaming platforms, and a decrease in viewer enthusiasm.

  • The Marvels became the lowest-grossing MCU film of all time.
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania failed to launch the multiverse phase and alienated critics and fans.
  • Eternals, Captain America: Brave New World, Agatha All Along, Ironheart, She-Hulk, Secret Invasion, and Thunderbolts (among others…) all suffered from poor reception or performance.
  • Major storylines have stalled, stars have exited, and Disney+ fatigue has set in.

Initially, this seemingly invincible machine appears malfunctioning, and not even devoted fans of Marvel can deny their franchise is in chaos. Previously unassailable, Feige now appears lost at sea.

Gunn and Safran: Warner’s Plan B Becomes Plan A

Following Feige’s departure, David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, started restructuring the entire DC universe. In the year 2022, he appointed James Gunn and Peter Safran to oversee the newly established DC Studios. This decision consolidated film, television, animation, and gaming sectors under a single entity, mimicking the integrated structure that Feige had initially developed for Marvel.

As a film critic, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing James Gunn, renowned for his exceptional work on Guardians of the Galaxy, demonstrate an impressive ability to maintain a unique creative flair even within the confines of the superhero genre. On the other hand, Peter Safran has left indelible marks with his producer roles in both the Aquaman and The Conjuring series. Together, these two powerhouses are now spearheading every significant DC Entertainment project, encompassing theatrical extravaganzas as well as streaming television productions.

The initial significant evaluation: this coming week’s revamp of Superman, penned and helmed by Gunn personally. Critics’ opinions on the movie are divided, making it intriguing to observe its performance during its premiere weekend at the box office.

Would Feige Have Fixed DC — Or Brought the Collapse With Him?

If Kevin Feige had chosen to leave Marvel, DC might have gained temporary reputation boosts, but would likely have faced long-term catastrophes. Would he have employed the same complex multiverse approach, excessive streaming releases, socially-charged content, and inconsistent tone that currently afflict the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Zaslav wanted Marvel-style results, but by being forced to look elsewhere, he avoided what many are seeing as Feige’s collapse. Gunn doesn’t carry the burden of years of declining returns. He’s betting everything on Superman, and the early numbers suggest audiences are at least curious.

Warner’s unsuccessful bid to acquire Feige might have appeared as a setback initially. However, looking back, it could have shielded DC from the very issues Marvel is currently grappling with today. Instead of inheriting these problems, DC Studios now has an opportunity for a clean slate, a cohesive plan, and a novel creative mind untouched by exhaustion. It’s intriguing to contemplate whether this new vision will resonate with the DC fanbase.

Gunn and Safran might not turn out to be another Feige, and that’s exactly the idea. At times, not obtaining what you desire can be the greatest outcome. However, with the DC team facing their initial significant challenge this weekend, their hiring could either mark a tremendous victory or simply amount to rearranging chairs on the Titanic.

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2025-07-11 16:56