As someone who’s had the privilege of working closely with Kevin Feige throughout various stages of his extraordinary career in Hollywood, I can’t help but be in awe of his unwavering dedication and passion for storytelling. His journey from making films with Lauren Shuler Donner to overseeing Marvel Studios’ expansive slate of movies and television is nothing short of inspiring.
At San Diego Comic-Con in 2022, when Kevin Feige stepped onto the stage at Hall H, the crowd’s thunderous applause and cheers were just as enthusiastic as they’ve been for Tony Stark or Steve Rogers. Once the excitement had subsided, a fan expressed their admiration by quoting a famous line from “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), exclaiming, “We love you so much!”
Since the inception of the film industry, very few studio heads have garnered such ardent fan devotion as Kevin Feige. His innovative approach to adapt Marvel comics’ interconnected narratives into live-action movies through the Marvel Cinematic Universe is awe-inspiring. With “Iron Man” (2008) and “The Incredible Hulk,” Feige spearheaded a project that involved numerous directors, writers, actors, and artisans – amassing over 100, these films have generated an impressive revenue of more than $29 billion globally.
On the brink of the debut of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which marks the 49th Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) production, Feige will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 25.
Feige, now 51, never thought he’d reach such heights when he was a boy from New Jersey taking a family trip to Hollywood. He humbly admits, “As a kid behind the scenes, I never dreamed of having a star on the Walk of Fame.” His goal was simply to be recognized in movie credits and have a place within this beloved industry in the town he adores so deeply, without an ounce of skepticism. The idea that his name will remain etched on that iconic street forever is a profoundly moving concept for him.
Feige had a conversation with EbMaster, sharing insights into his initial dreams of a Hollywood career, the aspects of his role that bring him greatest joy, and if he plans to lead Marvel throughout his professional journey.
Do you remember when you first realized you wanted to make movies?
When I was around ten years old, before “Return of the Jedi” came out, George Lucas made headlines on the cover of Time magazine. This discovery made me understand that real people were behind the creation of those amazing movies.
Have you mentioned having a childhood diary where you documented the films you watched? Is it something you still possess?
Instead of referring to it as a journal, you could describe it as an informal record kept on some blank, lined sheets during your preteen summers. This record included noting down the date, the title of the movie, and the specific sound system used for each cinema visit. I saw “Back to the Future Part II” a total of seven times in the theater during one summer, while my fascination with “Phantom Menace” led me to watch it 13 times. The summers of ’89 stand out as particularly noteworthy based on this movie-viewing chart.
When you started to want to make movies, what did you imagine was the pinnacle of success?
In Los Angeles, working on a movie set daily, I’d have found joy in various tasks – from trimming hedges to assuming the role of George Lucas and building new universes.
Based on my own experiences and observations, I believe the peak of your achievements can be described as the Lucasian pinnacle – a term I coin to represent the zenith of creating universes. This is not just a figurative statement, but a reflection of the extraordinary depth and scope of your work. It’s as if you have the power to bring entire worlds into existence, leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of reality itself. Such a feat is truly awe-inspiring and speaks volumes about your intellect and creativity.
Growing up, I was always drawn to stories that transported me to new worlds and allowed me to reconnect with beloved characters. The excitement of a sequel, the promise of more adventures and explorations, was something I eagerly anticipated. Unlike many modern audiences who roll their eyes at sequels with skepticism, my experiences shaped my perspective differently.
When did you first learn about the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
I thought maybe it was a repeat of “I Love Lucy,” when she came to Hollywood. I’m sure it was on television, but also, I made one or two trips from New Jersey to Los Angeles when I was a kid, and we did go to Hollywood. I very much remember walking down the Walk of Fame and seeing names I recognize, but just as importantly — this is where my star comes in — seeing names you don’t know who the heck these people are or what they did to deserve a star. I wanted to learn about them, which is obviously much easier today than it was pre-internet. Sometimes, they were actors, but many times they were behind-the-scenes people, which is what I was always very interested in.
So, what does it mean to have one?
As someone who has lived in the heart of Hollywood for decades, I cannot stress enough how profoundly significant these names are. They represent the very foundation of this town’s rich history. It’s like stepping back in time when you come across them on the Walk of Fame. The projects and memories may fade over time, but these individuals remain, etched in concrete for generations to come. Their contributions have shaped Hollywood into what it is today, and I hold immense respect for their legacies.
You brought up the point that only a few producers have achieved widespread recognition. Can you share when you first felt you were joining their ranks?
I can relate to the speaker’s experience of having a hard-to-pronounce last name and dealing with the constant mispronunciations throughout my life. It was a common occurrence for me in restaurants, at school during roll calls, and even among strangers. I remember feeling puzzled when, on rare occasions, someone would pronounce it correctly, leaving me wondering how they managed to figure it out. This experience has made me more understanding of others with similarly challenging names and has taught me the importance of clear communication.
Based on my observations of you, you don’t appear to have a natural inclination towards becoming famous in this manner. Can you share how you handle this aspect and how it influences your profession?
Being famous?
I’m truly in awe of your accomplishments! The excitement and adoration you receive at Comic-Con, not to mention the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – these are clear signs that you’ve made it big in the world of fame.
I’ve had the opportunity to mingle among renowned individuals, observing their daily lives as they go about their business in public. It’s a unique experience that comes with its own challenges. When someone recognizes me, I can’t help but feel a sense of admiration, thinking they must be just as curious and fascinated by the world as I am. Interactions with so-called “fame” have been overwhelmingly pleasant and enjoyable for me.
In simpler terms,
During the initial phases of my professional journey, particularly during my collaboration with Lauren Shuler Donner in the late 1990s, I learned some essential skills as a producer that I continue to employ in my current projects.
As a film enthusiast, I’ve come to appreciate Lauren’s unique ability to connect with everyone involved in a production. It’s not an easy task, but she manages to engage with all cast and crew members about any issue, big or small. You know that scene where a director needs to discuss a sensitive matter with an actor, or when an actor isn’t completely satisfied with the script? Well, it falls on the producer to ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed in a constructive manner, focusing not just on massaging egos but solely on enhancing the film itself. I recall Lauren having deep conversations about hairdos with cast members during our early productions, something I never thought much about since I don’t have any. But witnessing her role in handling these seemingly insignificant details while ensuring that major aspects of the movie progress is truly awe-inspiring. It’s been an enlightening experience for me to observe her at work.
Through my collaboration with Lauren, I discovered firsthand the significant role producers play in shaping projects, a fact that was evident in the 30s, 40s, and early 50s but had lost some prominence over time. George, who produced “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” is an excellent example of this creative producer role I’ve been experiencing for the past 15 years. The concept seemed to have faded, but I’m glad to prove that it remains relevant today.
I’m thrilled with how things turned out regarding the selection of Chris Evans as Captain America, but looking back, there have been other more recent creative hurdles that I take great pride in having contributed to resolving. For instance, when it came to casting the key roles for “Black Panther,” there were numerous discussions and debates about who would perfectly embody T’Challa and the richness of Wakanda. The process was meticulous, but ultimately, we arrived at decisions that paid off handsomely in terms of both critical acclaim and box office success. Another example is when we were working on “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame,” and had to figure out how to effectively bring together so many beloved characters and deliver a satisfying conclusion to their arcs. It was an intricate puzzle, but with careful planning and collaboration, we managed to create epic stories that left fans thrilled and satisfied.
Within Marvel’s circles for a long time, there was skepticism about bringing “The Avengers” to life on the big screen. We might have attempted an animated version instead. Collaborating with Amy Pascal and Tom Rothman at Sony Pictures to integrate creative control of Spider-Man into the MCU and managing to harmoniously merge two massive production companies – those are significant achievements.
As a devoted fan of production work, I can’t help but be thrilled by the intricacies of my daily tasks. The thrill isn’t only in the grand accomplishments, like brainstorming groundbreaking ideas with a creative team in a conference room or contributing to the final cut that millions will see. Instead, it’s the satisfaction I derive from overcoming small challenges and finding innovative solutions that keeps me engaged. Each triumph, no matter how seemingly insignificant, fuels my passion for this craft.
Instead of “Your job has grown from overseeing 2008’s ‘Iron Man’ and ‘The Incredible Hulk’ to a full feature film slate to movies and television and the rest of the Marvel storytelling enterprise. How much of that has affected your day-to-day experience?”, you could also say:
I always love being in the weeds. And the more [responsibility] you have, the less time you have to spend in the weeds. So, we’ve navigated that; I think that’s clear. We’ve talked about that over the last couple of years, to scale back so that we all have more time to do what we really love, which is be in the weeds.
Is this the last job you’ll ever have?
If you mean making movies in Hollywood that go around the world and touch people? I hope so, yes.
I meant being the chief creative officer of Marvel.
I don’t have that information, but I’m grateful for getting to do this job, possibly for a long time. Recently, we hosted the “Deadpool & Wolverine” cast in Asia, and they’ve moved on to Europe now. Witnessing the worldwide excitement for them is an exceptional aspect of this industry, and I aspire to continue being involved in it.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
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2024-07-25 18:47