Kevin Feige talks DC/Marvel comparisons, the pinnacle of Phase 2 and more

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

With ANT-MAN coming out a few weeks’ time, Marvel uber-producer Kevin Feige opened up about the differences between DC and Marvel, why ANT-MAN is so important to the Marvel universe and how things are going to change in Phase 3. As most of us know, HOT FUZZ writer/director Edgar Wright was originally lined up to direct ANT-MAN, but then walked away from the project. Some pointed the finger at Marvel, and Warner Bros.’ Greg Silverman stated that the difference between DC and Marvel movies is that Warner Bros. allows directors to fulfill their visions. I’m guessing Feige didn’t take to kindly to that, as he states quite the opposite for Marvel’s movies.

Kevin Feige’s response to Silverman’s statement:

My response is: Look at the movies. IRON MAN and IRON MAN 2 are as Jon Favreau films as you can see. Kenneth Branagh has his stamp all over THOR. CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER is very much a Joe Johnston film. The greatest example of that, look at GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY with James Gunn. And the one I always point out is AVENGERS. We knew the general structure when we sat down with Joss [Whedon]. But I don’t want you to think we gave him a story. We gave him a “Here’s where we think the movie should start, here’s where we think this character should come into it; it would be fun if something like this happened in the middle and in the end a hole opens up and aliens pour out into Manhattan.” So arguably, there were many pieces in place, and yet now that everyone has seen the movie, it’s completely a Joss Whedon film. He was able to take all the elements that were handed to him – that were studio-imposed, if you want to look at it that way – and make it his own. We wouldn’t have hired any of the filmmakers we’ve hired if we just wanted somebody who would do what we say.

How ANT-MAN fits in with the rest of the Marvel universe:

It really is the movie that closes out Phase Two. Phase One ended with AVENGERS. So some people thought that Phase Two would end with an Avengers film. But the truth is, there is so much in ANT-MAN: introducing a new hero, introducing a very important part of technology in the Marvel universe, the Pym particles. Ant-Man getting on the Avengers’ radar in this film and even – this is the weirdest part, you shouldn’t really talk about it because it won’t be apparent for years – but the whole notion of the quantum realm and the whole notion of going to places that are so out there, they are almost mind-bendingly hard to fathom. It all plays into Phase Three. It became very clear that ANT-MAN is the pinnacle and finale of Phase Two and CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR is the start of Phase Three.

If Marvel characters will show up in SPIDER-MAN movies:

Specifics of the story aside, the agreement that has been made between Sony and Marvel is that we could do that. Well, we’re producing it for Sony. It’s exciting, and we’re treating it like we treat all of our films. To try to make the best version now of Spider-Man and a version of Spider-Man that inhabits this universe that we’ve created. We’re in lockstep with [Sony Motion Picture Group chairman] Tom Rothman and [producer] Amy Pascal at every turn.

Paul Rudd on when he filmed his scenes for CIVIL WAR and which side he’s on:

I did a couple of weeks ago. Those are government secrets. I was telling Kevin, it was the first time I really felt like I was in it. I started working on ANT-MAN a couple of years ago, and I’ve been so immersed in it. But we’ve been shooting it in a bubble. When I went to the set of CIVIL WAR, I was 10 years old. There’s Captain America, there’s Iron Man. And not only that, but I’m doing scenes with them, calling them by their names. That feeling of excitement, the surreal nature of it is the best, it was great. I really felt for the first time part of the Marvel Universe.

I have no qualms admitting that I often wonder if Marvel doesn’t give enough freedom to its films’ directors, but in all fairness, they know their characters better than anyone else. It’s really not much different than any other studio issuing notes to a film’s director simply because they feel they know best. As far as comic book films go, Marvel has a pretty good track record, so they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

As for ANT-MAN, those results will still be up in the air for a couple of weeks. In the meantime, we have some Entertainment Weekly exclusive character posters for the film and I’ll tell you what; if you love your film characters blurry and in low-resolution, then you just better sit the eff down! On the flip side, there’s no way the movie can be worse than these, right?

ANT-MAN will hit theaters on July 17, 2015.