The Future Of The Marvel Cinematic Universe Is Diversity And Representation, Says Kevin Feige

One of the biggest reasons that Black Panther has been such a success at the box office (creeping up on $1 billion worldwide) is that it puts forth a cast of characters who aren't usually seen headlining Hollywood blockbusters. For decades, studios have turned away from movies that didn't have a white male lead because they believed that they weren't as big of a box office draw. But with movies like Black Panther, audiences are starting to prove them wrong, and Marvel Studios intends to keep giving them what they want.

Kevin Feige recently talked about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, albeit vaguely. While he wouldn't give any specific hints as to what characters we might see come to the big screen or what direction current franchises might take, he did say that they would continue to bring diversity and representation to the comic book movie scene.

Kevin Feige recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly about what Marvel has panned after Avengers 4, the culmination of these first 10 years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Kevin Feige isn't prepared to show his cards just yet, but he does say there are a lot of characters and movies they have on their prospective wishlist for the future:

"Well, there are lots. There are lots. It's a testament to the 8,000-plus characters in Marvel Comics. We still haven't made or developed every character we saw when we flipped through a comic and went, "This would be cool. This would be a good story." We're not ready to talk about what those are, but like the ones we've made in the first three phases, they're ones that are either just great concepts for a film, great characters with great supporting characters, like Panther."

If you liked Black Panther, then you're going to be very happy about the direction Marvel Studios is taking in the future. That movie showcased the rich culture and world of Wakanda and future Marvel movies are going to introduce new settings and characters that are just as significant. Feige explains:

"New locations and lands that have cultural significance all their own, and continuing to tell stories that represent the world as it is, that represent people who perhaps haven't seen themselves portrayed in this light in the past. We want to continue to do that."

That initiative won't only be with characters and settings in front of the camera, but behind the scenes as well:

"I think we're seeing it shift from a very purposeful initiative to just a fact of life, to just a way of doing business. Then there are people we hired that we're not ready to announce in all different capacities, particularly behind the camera. As Panther has so loudly declared, [representation] can only help you, can only help you tell unique stories, can only help you do things in a new, and unique, and fresh, and exciting way. If you do that, audiences will notice it, and appreciate it, and support it."

We couldn't have said it better. And we're excited to see how Marvel starts to include more diverse talents in front of and behind the camera. Hopefully, they'll do a better job hiring diverse talents behind the camera than Lucasfilm has done recently.