Disney CEO recalls fighting to get Black Panther and Captain Marvel made
By Erik Swann
Disney CEO Bob Iger recalls battling with Marvel Entertainment’s Ike Perlmutter to get some key films into production.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has rapidly since it first began with Iron Man back in 2008. However, only over the past few years has it truly diversified its roster of superheroes by adding characters like Black Panther, Valkyrie and Captain Marvel. Getting them to the big screen was no easy feat, and Disney CEO Bob Iger is now opening up about the long road to introducing them into the MCU.
In his newly-released book, The Ride of a Lifetime (via Comicbook.com), Iger explained that both he and Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige wanted a Black Panther film. But these plans were met with opposition from executives in Marvel Entertainment’s New York offices, who argued that films led by Black casts underperform overseas. Iger wasn’t willing to give into this way of thinking:
"“I’ve been in the business long enough to have heard every old argument in the book, and I’ve learned that old arguments are just that: old, and out of step with where the world is and where it should be.”"
Iger’s decision to move forward with the project was fueled by his desire to showcase underserved facets of the country on the silver screen. This led to a phone call with Marvel Entertainment Chair Ike Perlmutter:
"“We had a chance to make a great movie and to showcase an underrepresented segment of America, and those goals were not mutually exclusive. I called Ike and told him to tell his team to stop putting up roadblocks and ordered that we put both Black Panther and Captain Marvel into production.”"
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For those who don’t know, Ike Perlmutter and his creative committee previously held creative control over the MCU, and Kevin Feige had to report to them for final approval on major decisions. Feige reportedly had a difficult relationship with Perlmutter and the committee, which almost led to him departing Marvel in 2015. Iger soon intervened by promoting Feige, dissolving the creative committee and relegating Perlmutter to control of only TV projects.
Hearing Iger speak of Perlmutter in this matter isn’t too surprising. In the past, he’s reportedly made disparaging remarks about women and people of color in film. Under his direction, Marvel Studios was lacking in female and minority representation.
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In the years since his removal, the studio ultimately did make Black Panther and Captain Marvel, which both proved to be billion-dollar success for the company. Marvel has also introduced its first lead LGBT character in Valkyrie, who has become a fan-favorite. Ultimately, it seems Iger’s desire to stand his ground paid off.