Marvel's Kevin Feige Talks Superhero Movie Universe Competition

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the undisputed king of both the superhero movie genre and blockbuster movies in general, with even risky ventures like Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange turning into massive hits for the studio.

As the MCU has risen to prominence, other studios with big superhero catalogues under their belts (Fox, DC/Warner Bros.) have tried to emulate Marvel's success, attempting to launch cinematic universes of their own. None has been as successful as Marvel Studios yet - but with some ambitious projects like Justice League and Logan hitting theaters next year and possibly establishing some bigger and better superhero universes, should Marvel be worried about the competition?

Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige recently gave an extensive interview with Variety, in which he discussed (among other things) the possible competition coming from the X-Men and/or DC superhero franchises. According to Feige, though, there is no sense of competition on his part, just more of a good thing.

"What other people are adapting from the comics medium, I watch with as much interest as I do any other movies," Feige explained. Because I'm a fan, and I want to see what other people are doing in the world."

He went on to talk about Marvel's strategy for keeping their own brand fresh, claiming, "I've always believed in expanding the definition of what a Marvel Studios movie could be...by doing the unexpected and not simply following a pattern or a mold or a formula."

Fans would have to agree that after Phase 1 and the early part of Phase 2, the MCU movies have indeed branched out, offering much more variety in tone and approach. Captain America: The Winter Soldier was an political thriller; Guardians a sci-fi comedy; Doctor Strange a psychedelic philosophical head-trip, while like The Avengers films bring things back to that basic Marvel action/adventure formula. It's been a prudent change of pace that allows MCU to feel like several different worlds stitched together, rather than one big, monotone, sandbox.

As for Feige's claims: it's easy for him to enjoy the variety of product now, when he is the king of that product line. Let DC score big next year with Wonder Woman and Justice League and let's see if his attitude is still so relaxed. Of course, DC Films has to get over the hump first...

Doctor Strange is now in theaters; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man: Homecoming– July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; Avengers: Infinity War – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018; and Captain Marvel on March 8, 2019.