Even though Disney bought Marvel Entertainment back in 2009, the company has famously remained relatively independent under the leadership of CEO Isaac “Ike” Perlmutter. Being under the Mouse’s umbrella did come with some efficiency but largely they were separate departments for most things, including Marvel Studios, which has had a string of movie successes since the acquisition.
In the first real shakeup to its command structure, Marvel Studios will now be integrated into the Walt Disney Studios with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige reporting to Alan Horn in Burbank. Insiders report the move was seen as likely after reports of conflict growing between Feige and Perlmutter after the Marvel CEO’s intense micromanagement of everything, including the budget. The friction finally built up enough that Feige was able to convince Disney CEO Bob Iger to make the move.
This change echoes the ones made earlier by Pixar and Lucasfilm. Both brands and their leadership exist under the Walt Disney Studios brand with Pixar led by John Lasseter and Ed Catmull and Lucasfilm by Kathleen Kennedy. Those moves have worked out pretty well and Marvel Studios will probably be the same.
From online reports, this is just the movie production, Marvel’s publishing, TV group, and other activities continue under the old structure.
A Disney spokesperson released the following statement, “Marvel Studios is taking the next logical step in its integration with The Walt Disney Studios, joining Pixar and Lucasfilm in centralizing many of its film-related functions in Burbank, with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and co-president Louis D’Esposito continuing to lead the Marvel Studios team reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn.”
Feige is largely seen as the architect of the Marvel Cinematic Universe which has grossed more than $7 billion for Disney since 2009 and has a slate of films plotted out through at least 2019.
How would you rate the success of Marvel Studios? Would you like to see even more integration into the theme parks and other divisions?