Kevin Feige Talks Spider-Man, Diversity & Captain Marvel

As Doctor Strange continues to enjoy box-office success, fans are now looking to the future as Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films unfolds. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige spoke with Variety about the future of the MCU, including what separates their version of Peter Parker/Spider-Man from previous incarnations, the importance of diversity both in front of and behind the camera, and why actress Brie Larson is the perfect choice to play Captain Marvel.

The landmark deal between Marvel and Sony resulted in an agreement where Sony, who still owns the film rights to Spider-Man, would back the film while Marvel Studios would produce. Kevin Feige explained how this arrangement will change the latest version of the web slinger.

“It takes place inside the cinematic universe that we have built across 14 films. In the previous films, Spider-Man was the only superhero who existed in that world. In the comic books, Spider-Man always existed in a world where the Avengers existed, and Iron Man existed, and the Hulk would run through the streets, and Captain America had been thawed out of the ice. In the film, he’s a young kid who has to be home at curfew so his Aunt May doesn’t get worried, and go to school, and do his homework. That’s in contrast to Tony Stark’s life or Stephen Strange’s.”

Kevin Feige also addressed the issue of inclusion in the film business where he affirmed that Marvel Studios has a role to play in creating opportunities for minorities of various groups.

“The comics have always been progressive. They’ve showcased all sorts of different cultures and ethnicities. And we want to stay true to that. When you look at “Black Panther” — when you look at “Captain Marvel,” which will be Brie Larson in the title role — it is a very important thing for us to have diversity both in front of the camera and behind the camera.”

To that point, Kevin Feige reiterated the fact that finding a female director for the upcoming Captain Marvel film is a priority.

“It is. Having a female director at the helm to tell the story of a woman who is also our most powerful hero by far is very important to us.”

The role of Captain Marvel will be played by Brie Larson. Kevin Feige explained why the Academy Award winning actress was the perfect choice for the character.

“With Captain Marvel, who has powers that approach a level that we haven’t seen before in our films, you need to counter- balance that by finding somebody who is also very human and very relatable and can get into a groove with the audience, where they’re willing to see her fly through the sun and punch a moon away from a spacecraft. At the same time, we need her to land and have relatable flaws. Brie is a person you’re going to want to go on this journey with, just like Benedict or Robert or Chris Pratt.”

Directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man: Homecoming stars Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr., Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori and Donald Glover.

Spider-Man: Homecoming will be released in theaters on July 7, 2017.

Captain Marvel will be released in theaters on March 8, 2019.

Source: Variety