Marvel Studios Axes ‘Woke’ Producers Following Phase 4 Flop

A major rumor has surfaced suggesting that Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios have made the decision to let go of several producers and creatives labeled as ‘activist.’ This action comes after the less-than-stellar performance of their Phase 4 projects. Chris Gore, the founder of Film Threat, shared these insights during his appearance on The Critical Drinker’s YouTube channel. He mentioned that this cleanup happened quietly a few months ago.

According to Gore, ‘They quietly, months ago, fired all the producers that could be labeled activist.’ He stated that his connections within Marvel confirmed the shakeup. This move aligns with Disney CEO Bob Iger’s announcement of a $4 billion streaming loss, with projects like ‘She-Hulk,’ ‘Ms. Marvel,’ and ‘Secret Invasion’ underperforming.

Marvel’s efforts to rejuvenate the franchise seem evident with their announcement at Comic-Con about the return of the Russo brothers and Robert Downey Jr. to the MCU. This is a strategic move to hopefully steer back to successful waters, especially after the release of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ which marked a significant box office hit, five years post ‘Avengers: Endgame.’

Gore also commented on the direction of the MCU, noting that Kevin Feige admitted that their recent strategies didn’t pan out as hoped. He suggested that projects without legacy characters like Kang and other side characters didn’t resonate well with audiences. Gore’s comment, ‘male and pale is money,’ reflects his view on the recent box office trends contradicting previous industry narratives.

In addition to shifting producer roles, Gore mentioned that Marvel has dismissed several individuals who were not well-versed with the comic source material. This decision comes after revelations that some creatives, including Marvel producer Nate Moore and the director of ‘Secret Invasion,’ were directed away from engaging with the original comics. Gore highlighted that this is a long-term strategy, with Marvel admitting past mistakes but promising exciting upcoming projects like a potentially strong ‘Fantastic Four’ film.

Looking ahead, Gore pointed out that there are likely two disappointing movies and TV shows still in the pipeline. Films like ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ and ‘Thunderbolts,’ and TV series such as ‘Agatha’ and ‘Ironheart,’ might not meet expectations. He also noted that there are efforts to improve ‘Daredevil: Born Again,’ as confirmed by trade reports.

The insider also revealed adjustments to the ‘Blade’ movie, where plans once included a storyline to replace Blade with his daughter. Marvel is taking their time to refine this project. Furthermore, the ‘Fantastic Four’ reboot has undergone significant reworks, including a planned but short-lived appearance by a female Silver Surfer.

In contrast to Marvel, Gore believes that Lucasfilm, which handles the Star Wars franchise, is ‘a lost cause,’ doubling down on unsuccessful strategies and unlikely to produce desirable content in the future.

These changes and challenges suggest a pivotal time for Marvel as they navigate through feedback and box office results to shape their future slate of superhero entertainment.

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