MCU is one of the biggest and most successful media franchises centered around superhero movies based on the characters from Marvel Comics. The franchise includes movies, TV series, short movies, digital series, and literature. The first phase of the MCU under President Kevin Feige began with 2008’s Iron Man and was concluded with 2012’s The Avengers. But, Nelson Peltz, an activist investor, questions Feige’s ability to run MCU following recent disappointments in terms of movies, series, and the Jonathan Majors controversy.
Over the years, Marvel Studios under Kevin Feige has produced movies, keeping not only the superheroes from the comic books in mind but also what the audience would like to see on screen. The audience and the critics have appreciated movies like Black Panther and The Marvels; irrespective of their response at the box office. So when the representation in the movies were questions, fans decided to step in and share their thoughts on the same.
Nelson Peltz questions Kevin Feige’s ability to run Marvel Studios
Activist investor Nelson Peltz, in his recent interview with The Financial Times (via Variety), criticized Marvel president Kevin Feige and Disney for their ‘woke’ strategy. Peltz, who is actively trying to get two seats on the Disney Board, pointed at the studio’s movies, including Black Panther and The Marvels. He said,
“Why do I have to have Marvel movie that’s all women? Not that I have anything against women, but why do I have to do that? Why can’t I have Marvels that are both? Why do I need an all-Black cast?”
Interestingly, 2018’s Black Panther, led by the late actor Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and more did not have an all-Black cast. The movie was the first in Marvel’s history to have a Black director, Ryan Coogler, and a predominantly Black cast. Upon its release, the movie received praise for the direction, writing, costume designs, and performances of the actors. Black Panther has been considered one of the best movies in the MCU and has been noted for its cultural significance.
Talking about 2023’s The Marvels, which, according to Peltz, was all women, but in reality, it was only led by a team of women but had other supporting characters, including Samuel L. Jackson, Park Seo-joon, Mohan Kapur, and more. The Marvels, however, opened to a mixed response from the audience and the critics, but the performances of the actors were praised. The movie is said to have underperformed at the box office and was indeed considered a disappointment for the studios.
Nelson Peltz commented that he is not saying that Kevin Feige should be removed as the president of Marvel Studios, but he is surely questioning his record. It should be noted that putting full responsibility for the recent disappointments at the studios on Feige seems unfair because there is no way he could have predicted the response to The Marvels. The movie wasn’t even promoted properly due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Fans react to Nelson Peltz’s comments on MCU movies
Ardent fans of Marvel movies and comic books have expressed their appreciation towards Marvel Studios for showcasing a diverse cast and crew and giving representation to everyone who goes and watches the movies. So when Nelson Peltz, who is actively trying to get two seats at Disney, questions Kevin Feige’s methods to run the studios, fans have to come in support of them and speak for the MCU.
There has always been diversity and representation when it comes to telling different stories from different places, genders, or cultures. No marvel film has had an all woman cast or black! You could say the main characters for sure.
— Eddie (@OHMYDIAZ) March 25, 2024
Ooof let's keep him off the Disney board
— Krisiku (@Krisiku) March 25, 2024
Another fun fact – Nelson Peltz is buddies with Ike Perlmutter, aka the man who hamstrung Marvel TV and who was a key reason Black Widow didn't get her movie until it was too little, too late.
I can't imagine why Peltz would feel this way with friends like that…
— Caroline Freeman (@mycluttereddesk) March 25, 2024
X users have shared that there is nothing wrong with having a diverse cast, but the overall goal of the studios is to keep the audience entertained. They added that the audience is as diverse as the casting, and both movies referenced by him stick well to their source material.
I get it, the marvels was a flop. But how quickly he forgot captain marvel 1 made a billion dollars. And idk how BP got dragged into this because that franchise is still successful BP1 made a billion + and BP2 made almost 900millon. What have you done for me lately mentality.
— Batchump1 (@Bellblah1) March 25, 2024
BP 1 is the highest grossing domestic film they have. It’s a film about an African king and it is reflected in the cast. Captain marvel…her story is reflected by the cast. One has a huge following and one doesn’t. It’s about making movies in the mcu people want to see
— 73 yards in the wind (@73_yards) March 25, 2024
They're adapting the source material, that's why they have the casting they do… Marvel has so much source material it's simply on you if you don't know how these universes should/can look.
— Adam Warlock's Golden Eyes (@duckzilla68) March 25, 2024
Another one noticed that any efforts made towards equality and inclusion have always been looked down upon, with others pointing out how successful Black Panther was. They noted that the studios are focused on making movies that the audience wants to see, and the majority of the people demanded Nelson Peltz stay away from Marvel.
Black Panther and The Marvels are available to stream on Disney+.
