The Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of the most popular film franchises in history. Of course, it’s also one of the most divisive, especially in recent years when many fans began calling the film series “woke.” Now Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has commented on complaints that the MCU has become “woke,” something that fans have used to describe the addition of diversity to the franchise and its characters.
Feige commented on these complaints while speaking with reporters via The Wrap. Other studios have similarly faced backlash that their products have become “woke,” and while some of them have responded by reducing attempts at diversity, Feige believes things should continue as they are.
Here’s what he stated about the MCU being called “woke” in recent complaints:
“I said this before ‘woke’ and ‘DEI’ became a thing and I’m still saying it after: Marvel is the world outside your window,” Feige began. “It’s not Gotham City and Metropolis. This is New York and L.A.. And yes, there’s also Wakanda and Asgard, but it is all made up of the people who make up our world.”
As such, Feige believes that diversity is representative of the real world, and therefore not woke or forced in any way. He wants the Marvel Cinematic Universe to capture a true-to-life style with its settings, locations that are based in reality rather than the fictional cities DC uses like Gotham and Metropolis.
Of course, whether or not all audiences will accept these attempts at diversity and inclusivity is another thing. For the time being, however, it looks like Marvel Studios is eager to continue their strategy alongside Disney. We’ll have to see what happens as we move into the next phase of the franchise.
Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional Marvel Cinematic Universe news as we have it. The next installment in the long-running shared universe will be The Fantastic Four: First Steps which hits theaters on July 24, 2025.