Kevin Feige on Marvel Studio's Upcoming Projects

Feige talked to SFX Magazine for their March issue about how Iron Man, Iron Man 2 (May 7), Thor (May 6, 2011) and The First Avenger: Captain America (July 22, 2011) will lay the foundation for what should be the ultimate superhero epic - The Avengers (May 4, 2012).

"It’s fun now, and we’re introducing some new characters in [’Iron Man 2’], but it’s not about just cramming in lots of new people; that’s sort of the cardinal sin of the sequel - adding in too many characters. This is totally Tony Stark’s story. And that’s gonna weave into Thor’s story, and Steve Rogers’ story, and it’s already ingrained with Nick Fury’s story and an organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D."

"My only concern is that when we launch a franchise–whichever character’s franchise that may be–it should stand on its own two feet… So by the time ‘The Avengers’ comes in 2012, it’s not just a team superhero movie with a bunch of characters with powers. It’s three people - four including the Hulk; five including Nick Fury - who you’ve seen before in other movies, coming together for the very first time."

Hulksayswhat?

Feige on possibility of a second Incredible Hulk with Edward Norton:
 "That would be post-’Avengers,’ if it happened… I think there’s a chance. It’s certainly our intention to use the same actors from film to film where we can."

Will it would be difficult to meld the fantasy of Thor with the high-tech sci-fi in Iron Man and The Avengers?
 "No, because we’re doing the Jack Kirby/Stan Lee/Walt Simonson/J. Michael Straczynski ‘Thor.’ We’re not doing the blow-the-dust-off-of-the-old-Norse-book-in-your-library ‘Thor.’ And in the ‘Thor’ of the Marvel Universe, there’s a race called the Asgardians. And we’re linked through this Tree of Life that we’re unaware of. It’s real science, but we don’t know about it yet. The ‘Thor’ movie is about teaching people that."

Feige was then asked what other characters may come to the big screen after The Avengers…
"I love Doctor Strange. Ant-Man is like Whiplash - one of those characters where you’re like, ‘Really?’ that we’ve got a fun story with. I’ve always wanted to do something with Black Panther. I think what Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction have done with Iron Fist lately is great, and the Iron Fist mythology opens up a whole other part to us. I’d love to break into the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe even more- it’s kind of there in ‘Thor.’ J.J. Abrams’ ‘Star Trek’ got me jonesing to do that. It’s what I grew up on - ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Star Wars.’ I want to do a big space epic. And we’ve got them in Marvel."

So Dr. Strange, Black Panther, and Iron Fist huh? Meh. I’d watch them, but not super excited for any of them. Can we do Silver Surfer or does FOX own that too? Anyhow, I think this puts the will he/won’t he Hulk question to bed. We’re getting some more Hulk, I’m really excited about that. Booyah.