Kevin Feige Nearly Walked Away From Marvel Over Civil War Dispute

During the making of Captain America: Civil War, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige found himself at odds with then-Marvel Entertainment head Ike Perlmutter. The heart of their clash centered on Robert Downey Jr.'s involvement in the film. Perlmutter and the Marvel Creative Committee (MCC) were notorious for their strict oversight, especially when it came to budgets. Civil War, though billed as a Captain America sequel, was essentially an Avengers- level production, which meant higher costs and a larger ensemble cast. The committee was wary of the rising expenses, particularly with Downey Jr. seeking a bigger role and, naturally, a larger paycheck that included backend profits and performance bonuses.

Feige’s Stand: Keeping Iron Man in the Fight

Perlmutter, known for his frugality, pushed back hard against Downey Jr.'s demands. He even ordered the writers to remove Iron Man from the script to avoid the extra cost. Feige, however, believed Downey Jr. was essential to the story and fought to keep him in. As the pressure for more budget cuts mounted, Feige reached his breaking point and threatened to resign if the studio didn’t support his vision. His track record with previous Marvel hits had caught the attention of Disney CEO Bob Iger, who recognized Feige’s value to the franchise.

After the underwhelming reception of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Iger decided to restructure Marvel Studios. The new setup meant Feige no longer had to answer to Perlmutter or the MCC, which was soon dissolved. This wasn’t the first time Feige had to battle for creative control. During the production of Captain America: The First Avenger, the committee wanted to set the story in modern times, doubting audiences would care about a 1940s setting. Feige insisted on a period piece, and after heated debates, his vision won out.

Perlmutter’s Influence and Its Fallout

Ike Perlmutter’s decisions left a lasting mark on the early MCU. He was behind the recasting of James Rhodes, replacing Terrence Howard with Don Cheadle after refusing Howard’s pay raise. Perlmutter reportedly justified the switch with a racially insensitive remark:

all Black people “look the same”

. His influence also affected other projects. Edgar Wright, who was hired to develop Ant-Man in 2006, spent years perfecting the script. But the MCC’s constant push for more MCU tie-ins and their decision to bring in an in-house writer for rewrites led Wright to walk away from the project.

Perlmutter was also accused of resisting the inclusion of female heroes and villains. He tried to block Black Widow from joining the original Avengers lineup and delayed the introduction of more women in the franchise. During Iron Man 3, Rebecca Hall was initially cast as the main villain, but the committee forced a change to boost toy sales. A similar fate befell Hela, who was supposed to appear as the villain in Thor: The Dark World but was cut from the film.

Creative Battles That Shaped the MCU

Feige’s willingness to stand up to Perlmutter and the MCC shaped the direction of Marvel’s cinematic universe. The behind-the-scenes power struggles often determined which characters made it to the screen and how stories unfolded. The dissolution of the MCC marked a turning point, giving Feige the freedom to pursue his creative vision without interference. These internal battles, though rarely seen by fans, played a crucial role in the evolution of the MCU as we know it today.

Captain America: Civil War and other Marvel titles are now streaming on Disney+.