Sam Raimi Talks Seeing Kevin Feige’s Brilliance 20-Years Ago
The latest MCU entry is currently dominating the box office, and with the director and producer having a working relationship spanning two decades, Sam Raimi recently spoke about recognizing Kevin Feige’s brilliance 20 years ago.
There are few films that were as hyped and anticipated as the current box office champ, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Source: Marvel Studios
It was in part because of the film’s premise, and how much stake is put into its potential bookend of the MCU’s multiversal narrative that has become a major focus of Phase Four.
It is also, however, the return of the grandfather of all comic book adaptations, as Sam Raimi returned to the world of Marvel after crafting what was maybe the first successful Marvel adaption in cinema history.
Raimi on the set of Spider-Man. Photo: Inside the Magic
Raimi’s Spider-Man was a film that acted as the proof of concept for a comic book movie, and working alongside him at the time acting as just a producer- was the man who would go on to architect the massive and ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sam Raimi talked about recognizing Kevin Feige’s brilliance 20 years ago, when the two first began their collaborative relationship.
Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Talking about if there were indications to Raimi that Feige would orchestrate an empire during their Spider-Man days, Raimi responded, “Yes, in retrospect. At the moment, his boss, Avi [Arad], was [trying to create an empire].”
Raimi continued, “‘First of all, Avi had gotten behind Blade, X-Men, and even these Spider-Man movies. He was the head of Marvel at the time, and Kevin was his assistant. [Arad] also went on to iron Man. But it was Kevin who wanted to start bringing in guest appearances into the first three Spider-Man movies”
Source: @XMenFilms
“I forgot if it was Wolverine he was trying to get into the movies or another character,” Raimi noted, “but it was really Avi standing on the shoulders of Stan Lee and then Kevin standing on the shoulders of Avi that enabled this all to happen.”
“So, yes, Kevin is brilliant, and I’ve never met anybody who runs. accompany just ensuring the integrity of the characters as their No. 1 job.” The iconic director noted, “It’s incredible. It’s a pleasure to work at that company because of that.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MAY 02: (L-R) Richie Palmer, Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, Sam Raimi and Xochitl Gomez attend the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness World Premiere at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on May 02, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Raimi concluded with what is perhaps the main reason why Feige has experienced as much success as he has, stating, “He doesn’t really answer to the shareholder; he answers to the fan. And so it makes sit a wonderful place to work.”
