Marvel Studios writers’ story talks about the origins of the MCU


A crop of the upcoming book cover for The Marvel Studios Story features Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Hulk, and more, all in red.

Picture: Abrams

Fans are paying inordinate attention to when any information about Marvel is released, and because the studio is releasing so much a lot Informations about what’s in the pipeline, it can be easy to feel like you have the big picture. But Tara Bennett and Paul Terry, the co-authors of Abrams’ next novel The History of Marvel Studios: The Creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, be aware that despite the deluge of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews Marvel has shared in the past, there is so much more to tell about how the Marvel Cinematic Universe came to be.

When Marvel Studios Executives joke that their movies and series are small and modest india, this is because we all understand how the Marvel Projects became reality-distorting events that dominate information cycles and people’s imaginations, no matter how much time we spend precisely pointing out just how derivative they are sometimes. In their new book, Bennet and Terry talk to the creators who helped make the Cinematic Universe that fundamentally reshaped the way Hollywood approaches big-budget features and explore everything it took to make Marvel’s big vision come true. . When io9 recently had the chance to speak with the pair via email, they gave a little bit of what it was like to tell the origin story of the MCU in real time and what kinds of new details fans should be. expect to find while diving. read. Unfortunately, the authors decided to answer our questions together rather than separately, so each answer is attributed to both authors.


Charles Pulliam-Moore, io9: What exactly was your access to interviewees for the production of this book? What access was there and how free were you to ask them tough questions about the projects they had been involved in?

Tara Bennett and Paul Terry: It was unprecedented. During the making of the book, we had two different offices at Marvel Studios. We often conducted interviews in our space or in one of the studio’s conference rooms used for their meetings and creative conversations (including developing and writing the films themselves). Placed at the heart of the studio, we were able to see first-hand what the dynamics and culture are there. This meant that we could see, on a regular basis, how producers communicate – on projects, but also quite simply as people.

As fans will see in the book, over the course of countless conversations with Kevin Feige and the rest of the producers, as well as the cast and crew of The Infinity Saga, they invited us to ask the kinds of questions MCU fans reading this interview wonder if we made question. Their openness, honesty, and involvement in the development of this book over the past four years – and their hands-on work to help coordinate the interviews – was truly something of a level we never had before. previously known from an officially licensed book. And, when we were on set, the unit’s publicist was amazing at coordinating interviews between shoots.

io9: Much of this book is filled with background details about different Marvel projects that fans have probably heard certain elements of over the years. In the course of writing this book, what have you achieved about what the public knows, or thinks they know, about the events of these projects versus what the people working on these projects are working really hard to keep for? themselves?

Bennett and Terry: We wouldn’t characterize it as something that they “really work hard to keep to themselves.”“ It’s just that press conversations aimed at the public are, by their very nature, focused on the upcoming release of a movie. The simple truth of the matter is – and something we found out on the first day of interviews – is that the studio team were never asked to tell the full story of how they are in detail. became Marvel Studios. And, in turn, explain exactly how they created the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

With us being endorsed by the studio, and the project given the personal support and endorsement of Kevin Feige, that meant the producers, cast, and the crew were immediately disarmed. They had the comfort of knowing that if Kevin wanted to tell the whole studio story, then they were blessed to do it too. And, as fans will see, everyone was very honest about this story. This book is far from just something that celebrates success. It actively highlights struggles, risk-taking and stressful times too. Fans will be really surprised by the stories that have been told to us. And by the timeline that the fans think that they know, regarding when the studio first had desires / conversations about integrating certain characters into the MCU.

Concept art of Captain America hanging out with his pals in the 1940s.

Picture: Ryan Meinerding / Marvel

io9: Reading this, you really get a sense of how making the MCU has been personal for Kevin Feige and the filmmakers, even though it’s such a collaborative effort. Beyond the fact that he was instrumental in the creation of the MCU and therefore played a leadership role within Marvel Studios, what aspects of filmmakers as people and their different styles have? did you understand better while working on the book?

Bennett and Terry: Rather than listing everyone and their differences, it’s actually easier to explain by reversing this notion. While the studio’s producers and the directors of the films naturally all had different creative energies, ideas and approaches to storytelling, it was actually the shared collaborative spirit that quickly became the strongest bond between. them. They all share the enthusiasm of wanting to hear the ideas of others.

They never want someone to feel like they can’t speak, even though that person feels, inside, that they might be the only voice with a contrary reaction to a scene, a character. or a moment. Yes, there is a demanding and precise nature in their cinema. But it also always requires new ideas. This may come as a surprise to some fans, as this detail-oriented approach doesn’t feel like it leaves room for spontaneity. However, if there is a new and better idea, they want to hear it. Consider it. And maybe act accordingly. Even if it’s right down to the thread of something that needs to be locked. It remains a fundamental principle. And we’re thrilled that fans are reading the sheer number of stories that back it up.

io9: I’m curious to hear which songs from the Infinity War / Endgame production in which you were especially happy to be able to dig into the page.

Bennett and Terry: One of the most exciting things about this project was when it got started. We had our first book meetings in early 2017. So that meant that next summer we had already planned to travel to Pinewood in Atlanta to observe and do interviews for Infinity War, Endgame, and Ant-Man and the Wasp. And, in October, on our second trip to Georgia, we had the mind-blowing experience of being on the set of Tony Stark’s funeral. Then the “class photo” MCU alumni. Follow-up of 10 birthday toast. Covering all of these events was extraordinary, as they each marked an important moment in Marvel Studios history and in film history.

But, of course, being there for the Tony Stark funeral scene was a next level. Beyond the scene itself, it was also an incredible experience due to the emotion that could be seen on everyone’s faces – the actors, many meeting each other for the first time, the producers and all of the team members – and that felt in the air too. . It was an extraordinary moment. And a special movie secret to keep. This project has given us countless moments like this, where we get to be present at a moment, or at a conversation, that is imbued with deeply personal emotions. And things that also bring back other related sensory memories that the studio, cast, and crew were kind enough to share with us. It was these human moments that led to many of the book’s most exciting memories.

Concept art of Wasp's fight with Sonny Birch.

Picture: Evgeni Tomov / Marvel

io9: As fans look at this book looking to broaden their understanding of the work that has gone into producing the MCU, what do you think they should keep in mind?

Bennett and Terry: Just to keep in mind that it all started with a small group of creative people who had an idea. And, when they read each year / chapter of the studio’s production, watch how that development and collaborations have evolved. And see how that spirit of independent cinema remains, to this day. Then beyond the MCU, we hope this book inspires the next generation of creatives to take their own big swings.


The History of Marvel Studios: The Creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe arrives in stores tomorrow.


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