The film industry has undergone a significant transformation over the past quarter-century. What was once a profitable avenue for studios has evolved into the primary revenue stream. A striking example of this shift is evident in the top-grossing films of 2024, all of which belong to established franchises.
At the heart of this cinematic revolution stands Kevin Feige, the visionary producer behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Nominated for an Academy Award, Feige’s influence on Hollywood is undeniable. With nearly forty films expanding the universe initiated by Iron Man in 2008, including the recently released Deadpool & Wolverine, Feige has solidified his position as the industry’s most commercially successful producer. In a recent interview, Feige has come in defense of movie sequels.
Kevin Feige Comments On Movie Sequels
Kevin Feige. Image Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, a behemoth in the entertainment industry, has been under scrutiny for its prolific production of sequels. While movie enthusiasts crave fresh narratives, the studio remains steadfast in its approach.
In a recent interview with Variety, Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind the MCU, defended the sequel as an indispensable component of the film industry.
Feige’s journey in the movie business, marked by a fondness for sequels, has evidently shaped his vision for the Marvel universe. He expressed his enthusiasm for the concept of expanding existing worlds and delving deeper into beloved character arcs.
“It has always been enjoyable to revisit characters and expand on their stories,” he remarked. “The excitement for sequels was always present for me. I never shared the cynicism that some people express today, even though sequels have been around since the 1930s and they are an absolute pillar of the industry. For me, the joy was always in the idea that something beloved was returning and building upon what made it special in the first place.”
Feige’s perspective highlights the value of sequels in creating a richer, more immersive cinematic experience, reinforcing their importance in the industry.
The Sequel-Driven Hollywood Landscape
Deadpool & Wolverine. Image Credit: Marvel Entertainment
Kevin Feige has built a formidable empire with the MCU, continuously rolling out sequel after sequel. It appears that his momentum shows no signs of waning. Although the third Deadpool movie is currently showing in theaters, Feige and his team are already preparing for new releases extending into 2026 and beyond, encompassing both television and film.
Feige has openly expressed his fondness for sequels, a sentiment that aligns with the MCU’s emphasis on recurring characters and storylines. While some critics argue that great films should stand alone, with exceptions like Before Sunset and The Godfather Part II, the undeniable commercial success of sequels in Hollywood has made them a dominant force.
However, the criticism Feige faces is more nuanced. The dissatisfaction stems not from the concept of sequels themselves, but from the perception of cash-grab sequels lacking creative justification. The endless cycle of sequels is seen as stifling new ideas, with Hollywood prioritizing familiar franchises over innovative concepts. This stagnation is exacerbated by the slow pace of creating new original content to inspire future sequels, leading to a decline in creative freshness.
Feige’s influence contributes to this problem. While Deadpool & Wolverine is positioned as a celebration of superhero cinema, it arrives at a time when the genre demands evolution to maintain audience interest. Nevertheless, the film is expected to dominate the box office, further solidifying the dominance of sequels. The upcoming X-Men and Fantastic Four reboots carry significant weight as they could potentially reverse this trend.
An examination of the highest-grossing films of this and the previous decade reveals that blockbuster hits are typically part of a franchise or well-known intellectual property. Original successes, such as Smile and The Black Phone, are rare, and even when they occur, studios often quickly approve sequels.
This trend of sequels dominating the box office is relatively recent. In 2000, eight of the top ten highest-grossing films were original works, including Gladiator, Cast Away, What Women Want, Meet the Parents, The Perfect Storm, Dinosaur, and What Lies Beneath. Such a scenario is unlikely today.
The decline of original filmmaking is a disheartening reality. It raises questions about the future of cinema and whether the industry can return to a time when fresh ideas were at the forefront.
Deadpool & Wolverine is running in theaters.
