Latest news with #KevinFeige
Geek Tyrant
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Kevin Feige Met with THE CREATOR Team to Learn How to Cut MCU VFX Costs — GeekTyrant
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige is on a mission to revitalize the MCU, and part of that strategy involves making movies smarter, not just bigger. One surprising source of inspiration? Gareth Edwards' sci-fi epic The Creator . In an interview with Deadline, Feige revealed he met with the team behind The Creator to learn how they pulled off such a visually stunning film on a fraction of a typical blockbuster budget. Feige explained: 'The movies made over the last two years have been upwards of a third cheaper than they were two years before that. Deadpool & Wolverine, Captain America, Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four are all significantly cheaper than films from 2022 and 2023, and they would have been even cheaper if it wasn't for the strikes.' Considering The Creator cost just $80 million but looked like a $200 million spectacle, Feige clearly sees value in that approach. Edwards and his team shot extensively in Thailand, using real-world environments and enhancing them with VFX rather than relying on massive soundstage builds. That's a sharp contrast to recent MCU outings like Thunderbolts* and Captain America: Brave New World , each with reported budgets of around $180 million. While Marvel has scaled back spending on most projects, the studio isn't holding back when it comes to the big guns. Forbes reports that Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are shaping up to cost even more than Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame combined, films that together nearly hit the $1 billion mark in production costs. But with Endgame earning $2.8 billion, Marvel is betting big that lightning can strike twice. Before we get to the multiverse madness, the next major MCU release is The Fantastic Four: First Steps , starring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. Reportedly costing $200 million, the film is projected to open strong with $100 million to $110 million domestically, according to Deadline. Feige's renewed focus on cost efficiency, and lessons learned from The Creator could be a game-changer for Marvel moving forward. The question now is whether these leaner, smarter productions can reignite excitement for the MCU.
CNET
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Review: Phenomenal Visuals and Heart-Centered Story Will Satisfy Fans
Welcome to Phase 6 of the MCU, Marvel fans. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is finally here with impeccable visuals that feel like a hymn to Jack Kirby's original vision for this universe and its characters. From the opening credits sequence to its retrofuturistic style and immersive deep space scenes, the imagery is vividly brought to life, directly from the pages of the Galactus comic book trilogy and the early aughts of Kirby's Fantastic Four cartoon run. The Fantastic Four: First Steps officially hits theaters on July 25 as a prerequisite-free story set on Earth-828. Heavy on the sci-fi and tender family dynamic, the film gives us just a little something different in a genre that coasts on the fate-of-the-world-hinges-on-the-decisions-of-its-heroes trope. Kevin Feige has made a point of reminding us that Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ben Grimm/Thing, and Johnny Storm/Torch are Marvel's First Family, and this movie delivers on the authenticity of their bond that makes this a fun -- though sometimes imperfect -- watch. They are connected. And Galactus and the Silver Surfer are treats for comic book fans who worried about their live-action rendering. Serving as an introduction to the Four, the film opens with married couple Reed and Sue having a very human, very everyday conversation in their bathroom, where the pair shares a sweet moment about Sue's new pregnancy. Pedro Pascal is a mature and thoughtful Reed whose combination of scientific genius and a guilty conscience makes him more than the stoic character he's typically known to be. Vanessa Kirby plays a confident and emotionally intelligent Sue, who's equal parts sister, wife and kickass superpowered astronaut/mama bear. Once Johnny (Joseph Quinn) and Ben (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) learn the baby news, it's clear this is a family who loves and protects each other. First Family also means family first. Establishing the family's stakes is core to the narrative because when Julia Garner's Silver Surfer drops down to Earth to herald "his beginning" and mark the planet for death by Galactus, everyone is, and should be, alarmed. What does that mean for the world, its designated protectors and the baby? Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, aka Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Marvel Studios No one knows much about Galactus, and the audience is along for the ride as the team works to figure that out. You've undoubtedly heard some references to The Jetsons, and the technology in this movie -- and H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot -- is intriguing and used to tackle mundane problems and harder stuff like learning about the universe and Galactus. No, it's not like what you've seen in Wakanda or Loki, and the '60s vibes allow for some cool gadgets and the First Family's vehicle. This version of New York City and the rest of the planet is excitingly unlike anything we've seen in the MCU, and you'll appreciate that. Though the Fantastic Four's backstory is quickly highlighted through vibrant flashbacks and discussions about how they obtained their abilities on a mission gone wrong, it's not clear if there were any global threats and villains (like Red Ghost) before they became superheroes and Earth's assigned guardians. That's a sticky point for me. What is evident, however, is that they've never encountered anyone like Galactus, and he's frightening enough to warrant an emergency trip back to space. It's a trip worth taking for viewers. The sights and sounds of the cosmos are abundant and beautiful, and honestly, my favorite scenes in the film are in space. Traveling through stars and wormholes in this MCU story felt immersive, and the Four's attempt to reason with a planet-eating god saw them step into his turf. It's vast, eerie and beautiful. But the first shot of Galactus is both colossal and comic-book accurate. Their first meeting doesn't go as one would hope when Sue and Reed refuse to hand over their child in exchange for sparing the planet, and a cascade of lively action sequences and urgency soon follows. Watching the Human Torch set things on fire and the whole gang take on Silver Surfer -- in outer space -- not only gives us a taste of the danger they face, but also lets each character shine as part of a family of intelligent superhumans who care deeply about each other. The Invisible Woman and the Silver Surfer are not to be toyed with, and you will know that. But what about their decision not to give up their baby to save the world? Is it selfish? Is it right or wise? Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm. Marvel Studios It's nice to see heroes admit that they don't know how they're going to handle impending doom -- the possibility that the world will be obliterated. Like every other human on Earth, Reed and Sue want themselves and their baby to be healthy and safe. Everyone is on edge, and for a while, you're on edge, too. Science and cooperation underscore the events leading up to the film's climax and battle of battles. What we know is that Galactus wants to snack on the planet, and this is next on the list. We still don't learn much about his origins or motivations, but it serves as the great big bad for this story and gives these charismatic, heart-first heroes a chance to show off their powers and humanity. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a safe, PG-13 movie that the whole family can watch that doesn't offer up the levels of violence, sadness or dread we've experienced in releases like Daredevil, Guardians of the Galaxy or Multiverse of Madness. Though the plot sometimes ventures into predictability, the 1960s aesthetic set in a world separate from the saga of Earth-616 is a welcome and solid addition to the MCU that helps chart the way for what's to come in Phase 6. Make sure to watch the post-credits scenes for some more Marvel hints and Easter eggs.
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is 'pleasant enough' but lacks tension
Despite strong performances by Pedro Pascal and others – and for all its "breezy competence and flair" – this retro vision of the future from Marvel doesn't have enough suspense. Producers make all kinds of claims about their films. But Kevin Feige, producer of the Marvel superhero franchise, was right when he called The Fantastic Four: First Steps "a no-homework-required movie". What a relief. For once, no need to scramble to Wikipedia to sort out the characters' tangled histories and multiple timelines. That's one of the strengths of this stand-alone film, which leans hard into its 1960s retro-future setting and style. And it benefits greatly from a cast that is believable in unbelievable situations, especially Pedro Pascal as the brilliant scientist Reed Richards and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as his best friend, Ben, aka The Thing, a giant man made of rocks. How much you enjoy it, though, may depend on how much you might like spending a couple of hours in a theme park, which this pleasant-enough Disney film resembles. The Fantastic Four efficiently sets up the heroes' story. Mark Gatiss plays a chipper talk-show host who introduces the team by reminding his audience of what happened four years earlier. The four were on a space mission when cosmic turbulence changed their DNA. Richards, in addition to his genius, now has an elastic body. His wife, Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), can emit a force field from her hands and can also become invisible. Her brother, Johnny (Joseph Quinn), became The Human Torch, able to turn into a flying flame. And Ben looked just like Cousin Richie from The Bear until he became the superstrong, rocklike Thing, a permanent condition. Now they all live together, for some reason, saving the world when needs be. They also created a humanitarian foundation, and it seems that Sue used it to bring about global peace, but that detail goes by fast, part of a sleek montage. The first comic featuring these characters appeared in 1961, and the film's aesthetic is rooted in that era, down to the Fantastic Four's identical blue uniforms with 60s-style white boots. This is not a world where SpaceX or Blue Origin, today's real-life billionaires' space ventures, are a glimmer of an idea. It is a land of flying cars, a toddler-sized robot called H.E.R.B.I.E who helps out around the house, and screens with the square shapes of early televisions. For all his scientific genius – he has just discovered how to teleport objects – Reed still figures his equations on a chalkboard. If you've even glimpsed the old television shows The Jetsons or Lost in Space, from the same period as those early Fantastic Four comics, you'll recognise this cartoonish space-age vision of the future. The team's family bond is the film's main theme, even more than saving humanity. As the film starts, Sue learns she is pregnant. Nervous about being a father, Reed has H.E.R.B.I.E. baby-proof the house and lab. Johnny and Ben are at times the bickering comic relief, but always excited to be uncles. But soon Earth does need to be saved from a space monster called Galactus, a giant in armour, with glowing eyes, who survives by consuming planets. He sends a messenger, the Silver Surfer, to announce his plan to eat up Earth. In motion capture, Julia Garner plays the Surfer, a lithe, metallic figure – the film's best, most sophisticated visual effect – whom Johnny instantly has a crush on. As the plot and the action kick in, in its simplicity the film comes to feel like a children's adventure tale, although an odd one because it also includes Sue going into labour while in space, as the team chases Galactus and is chased by Surfer. The effects are mostly whirls of light along with Johnny in flames flying across the screen. As Marvel action goes, it's a pared-down look, but in line with the colourful retro aesthetic. More like this:• Superman is 'bursting with geeky weirdness'• Jurassic World Rebirth has 'few thrills'• 28 Years Later is a 'never dull' mash up Despite the team's outlandish schemes to save the world, the actors tether their characters to emotional reality. In the big final action scene, at last we see Reed stretch like rubber, while Sue tries to fend off Galactus with her force field. But mostly Pascal and Kirby bring fierce-mum-and-dad energy to their roles (Sue and Reed's son, Franklin, by the way, is the most adorable superbaby you're ever likely to see). And throughout, Moss-Bachrach, almost entirely through his voice, brings Ben to life as a person, a loyal friend and slightly lonely man who exists within that rocky surface. The director, Matt Shakman, has worked mostly in television, and directed every episode of the Marvel series WandaVision. As he did in that show, here he smoothly balances the characters' emotions and their magical actions. For all its breezy competence and flair, though, the film doesn't have enough tension or suspense to grab you the way it should. Marvel has announced that these characters will return in future films, so we know they won't die. (Plus, no one has to stay dead in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They have timelines to fix that.) The best superhero movies let you ignore how ludicrous the plots are, but the silliness of The Fantastic Four is always in your face. In the end, the subtitle First Steps says a lot. This film feels like a warm-up, introducing characters who will become major parts of the MCU. The end of the second post-credit sequence announces that The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday, the next instalment in the franchise. These characters are strong enough to stand out amidst the other superheroes, but you can already hear Wikipedia calling. ★★★☆☆ -- For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Tom Holland's Spider-Man to team up with The Punisher in new MCU film?
Tom Holland's Spider-Man is getting back to basics. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed that the next film in the Spider-Man saga, titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, will take a more grounded approach, bringing Peter Parker back to the streets of New York City, with a little help (or trouble) from Jon Bernthal's The Punisher. A report in Collider states that Feige, speaking during a roundtable for Fantastic Four, said this upcoming film will mark the beginning of a 'proper Spider-Man' era in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). 'I think there's a promise at the end of No Way Home, that for as sad as it is that Peter is forgotten by everyone in his life, we are seeing for the first time in the Tom Holland Spider-Man stories him being a proper Spider-Man," he said, as quoted by Collider. "Him being by himself, dedicated to saving the city, and dealing with — for lack of better terms — street-level crime, as opposed to world-ending events.' Feige also revealed that this street-level focus opens up exciting possibilities — including the long-awaited team-up between Spider-Man and The Punisher. 'Of course, I love that The Punisher started in a Spider-Man comic,' he said. 'Destin is doing an amazing job right now on that movie, which starts shooting very soon. And he's got eight or nine comic covers up on his wall in his art department that he is bringing to life in this movie, which is super cool.' While plot details remain under wraps, the title Brand New Day is a nod to the 2008 comic storyline in which Peter Parker resets his life after a deal with the demon Mephisto. The MCU version will likely skip the supernatural elements, but the core theme of starting over in anonymity remains. At the end of No Way Home, Peter made the heartbreaking decision to let MJ and Ned forget him, moving into a small apartment and sewing his own suit, signalling a fresh, solo start for the web-slinger. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is expected to hit theaters on July 31, 2026. The film is being directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, best known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Spider-Man and The Punisher will come together in the next Tom Holland film, confirms Marvel's Kevin Feige
These sure are exciting times for fans of the superhero genre, with James Gunn's Superman rewriting iconic character traits and Marvel's Fantastic Four: First Steps all set for its worldwide release this week. Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe haven't had a lot to celebrate in recent times, but some much-needed good news has just been delivered by the president of the studio, Kevin Feige. He has just confirmed that Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is going to release in July 2026, is likely to feature another iconic comic-book character, and that is going to be Frank Castle, The Punisher. While attending a roundtable discussion for the upcoming Fantastic Four, Feige shed some light on Marvel's plans for Tom Holland's Spider-Man, and how is that movie going to fare considering that it is the last MCU movie to release before Avengers: Doomsday? When asked about whether the film is going to act as a proverbial bridge, which takes the audience to Doomsday, Feige made it clear that Peter Parker is all set to explore his story now, and considering how the last film ended, he has a lot of time to focus on just himself and become the hero he needs to be. He said, 'I think there's a promise at the end of No Way Home that, for as sad as it is, Peter is forgotten by everyone in his life.' ALSO READ: Fantastic Four first reactions say Marvel dials down the noise, turns up the heart in cosmic reboot: 'Emotional punch' He added, 'We are seeing for the first time in the Tom Holland Spider-Man stories him being a proper Spider-Man. He is, by himself, dedicated to saving the city and dealing with—for lack of a better term—street-level crime as opposed to world-ending events that he faced when working with the other characters.' Kevin Feige does make a good point, because even though all of Tom Holland's Spider-Man movies have been successful and well received, it can be argued the character has always had people to rely on. He is yet to go on that 'Batman-like' lonesome journey, where he can discover himself while caring about just his neighbourhood and his city. Interestingly, the Punisher's first-ever comic book appearance was in The Amazing Spider-Man issue #129. Apart from the several gritty storylines he has been a part of in the comics, the character was brought to life by actor Jon Bernthal back in 2016, when he featured in the second season of Daredevil. Since then, Bernthal has impressed audiences with his portrayal of the 'obsessed with justice' character and even played him in two stand-alone seasons. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is all set to release on July 31, 2026.
