Marvel Studios, known for its hit franchise Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has been accused of stealing creative control from its directors. A recent report has claimed that Marvel intentionally seeks out inexperienced directors to ensure the company’s creative control. This report came on the heels of several former Marvel artists claiming that company President Kevin Feige and ex-executive Victoria Alonso had to “personally approve every single shot” of a given project and that the company would blacklist any visual effects (VFX) artist that did not conform to that.
New York Magazine and Vulture reporter Chris Lee criticized Marvel Studios’ tendency to hire inexperienced directors, saying the company does so intentionally to maintain creative control across its various projects. Lee stated that Marvel “systemically harvests directors from the Sundance Film Festival,” who have directed low-budget films that have gained a lot of buzz but have no experience with VFX. Lee specifically called out some of Marvel’s biggest filmmakers in recent years, including Taika Waititi, Ryan Coogler, and Chloé Zhao, as filmmakers that “do not have any experience with VFX.”
The report adds credence to claims that Marvel relinquishes little control to its directors. Lee spoke to an unnamed Marvel director who revealed that Marvel told him that the studio directs the movies, not the directors. Lee has suspected that Marvel has had this stronghold over its creative development process for a long time, but he doesn’t see it lasting much longer.
While it may be unfair to compare these Marvel directors to VFX mastermind James Cameron, it does bring to light that Marvel is not exactly looking for the next prodigy in the visual effects department. Marvel’s tendency to seek out inexperienced directors, control the visual effects department, and micromanage every shot may be detrimental to its success in the future, as it is producing more than just a movie or two per year.
The report also highlights the firing of Marvel Studios executive Victoria Alonso and the tyranny that goes on in the visual effects department. It isn’t surprising that this type of controlling culture has been allowed to thrive within the company, as the whole pitch of the company for the first ten years was that the movies were all telling one cohesive story. However, sticking to the same regimen as Phases 1 through 3 has proven less than efficient as Marvel Studios is now producing more than just a movie or two per year.
In conclusion, the report sheds light on Marvel Studios’ tendency to seek out inexperienced directors, control the visual effects department, and micromanage every shot. While this has worked for the company in the past, it may prove detrimental to its success in the future, as it is producing more than just a movie or two per year. Marvel may need to rethink its approach to maintain its success and relevance in the film industry.
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