Marvel Studios’ Casting Strategy Spelled Out

Marvel Studios, apparently, has a much different way of doing business than the average movie studio.This is probably self-evident, given the reports that they’re a bit on the tight-fisted side and given that every actor involved with their big, tentpole movies signs on for multiple pictures just to get in the door. Still, there’s been a lot of rumors and speculation of late, and Slashfilm has taken it upon themselves to try and clarify the “Marvel Method” a bit.They don’t specify their source, but speak with some authority and, if true, their version of the way the House of Ideas does things actually explains how so many rumors end up being reported as fact as Marvel’s concerned.Why? Because the first thing you do is sign your contract.That’s right–according to this report, Marvel takes cues from television casting standards, rather than film’s, and essentially gives people their deal up-front: “This is how many movies we want from you, and this is what you’ll make.”  That deal is signed before the actor even tests for the job, meaning that at any given time Marvel might have several actors “on the hook” for a role, but none of those contracts are worth the paper they’re printed on–to the actors, at least–until Marvel “activates” it with a formal offer.