Kevin Feige considered leaving Kevin Feige almost left Marvel for DC shortly thereafter due to growing frustrations.
The impetus for Kevin Feige's near Marvel exit was the oversight of Marvel Entertainment CEO Ike Perlmutter. The two did not see eye to eye on a number of issues, ranging from the MCU's need for more diversity (which Feige championed) to budget restrictions. It all boiled over to a point in 2015 where Disney CEO Bob Iger knew he had to step in or risk Kevin Feige leaving to have success elsewhere, such as Warner Bros. as the head of DC Films. The end result was Disney restructuring Marvel and splitting Marvel Studios off from Marvel Entertainment, which meant Ike Perlmutter no longer had any real say in the company or Feige's plans.
Even though Kevin Feige ultimately stayed and created a new MCU master plan, the possibility of him leaving for DC was real. Since this would have happened prior to the 2015 restructuring, that would mean Kevin Feige would leave the MCU during Phase 2 and take over the DC Extended Universe in its earliest of days, with only Man of Steel released at this point. This means he could have helped shape Zack Snyder and WB's master plan to build a DC shared universe fans have long wanted, while Marvel Studios would be left in an uncertain state as they build towards Thanos' arrival. This is what might have happened if Kevin Feige left Marvel for DC.
Marvel Doesn't Make Black Panther Or Captain Marvel
Kevin Feige leaving the MCU would mean that Marvel Studios doesn't make Black Panther or Captain Marvel. Feige had wanted to make movies featuring both of these characters for years, but Ike Perlmutter did not believe in either property. The root of this stance came from MCU's mythology and ability to represent more audiences than white males in the lead.
Marvel Studios' Inhumans Movies Likely Happens
One oddity that would also come with Ike Perlmutter remaining in charge of Marvel Studios would be the Inhumans movie actually happening. It was reported that the film was something that the Marvel CEO pushed for as a means of helping build up these characters and replace the X-Men. Since Perlmutter also oversaw the publishing side of Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios did not own the movie rights to the X-Men, the comics began to phase out the mutants and feature the Inhumans in more prominent roles. The Inhumans movie would have helped finalize Perlmutter's plan to hurt Fox's X-Men movie franchise. There is no telling what this movie would look like, although it is safe to assume it would still be better than the ABC show that was made once Kevin Feige canceled the film plans.
The MCU Wouldn't Get Spider-Man Without Feige
There is also a strong chance that Spider-Man would never have ed the MCU if it wasn't for Kevin Feige. The Marvel Studios chief played an integral role in getting Sony and producer Amy Pascal to agree to share Spider-Man, rebooting the character in the MCU instead of moving forward with plans for The Amazing Spider-Man 3 and villain spinoffs. Without Kevin Feige around to convince the studios to make the Marvel/Sony Spider-Man deal, it is difficult to imagine it still happening. The one caveat that could be provided is what Ike Perlmutter would do to replace Kevin Feige if he did exit. It would not have been too surprising if Amy Pascal or Avi Arad were tapped to lead the MCU in Phase 3 and beyond. If that happened, their ties to Sony could have been strong enough to convince them to bring Spider-Man into the MCU.
Infinity War & Endgame Are Weaker Movies & Less Successful
With all of the changes that would come after Kevin Feige's exit, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame would be weaker movies and less successful overall. The battle in Wakanda would not have the same weight without Black Panther, while the Avengers would have a hard time beating Thanos without Captain Marvel in Avengers: Endgame. Thor's story leading to this point would be very different as Perlmutter would not have let Hela be Thor: Ragnarok's villain. Meanwhile, these movies could have happened without Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man and the directing duo of Anthony and Joe Russo. Perlmutter previously didn't want to pay RDJ's high fee to have him appear in Captain America: Civil War and ordered for him to be removed from the script. The Russos were prepared to walk if that didn't change, and it wouldn't if Feige was gone. All of these changes are for the worse and would crumble the momentum Infinity War and Endgame ultimately received. And there is no telling how many other creative decisions and story ideas for the movies came directly from Feige that otherwise would be different.
Marvel's Phase 4 Would Have Bigger Struggles
The issues that the MCU would have faced in Phase 3 would only be bigger in Phase 4 too. Perlmutter would have likely shut down the long-awaited solo movie for MCU Disney+ shows. Based on how he helped oversee Marvel Television, the high-budgeted small screen adventures audiences are now used to would look completely different.
Kevin Feige Wouldn't Fix Batman v Superman's Problems
Shifting gears to DC, Kevin Feige leaving the MCU to take over the DCEU would have likely come in the midst of making Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. What parts of the film he could change would really depend on the timing of his transfer, but it is more likely that Zack Snyder would be left to make the film he intended to. Feige could have provided some input here or there, but he likely would come to DC too late in the game to make any major changes - like delaying the Doomsday arrival or Superman's death for future movies - unless late reshoots were implemented. While Kevin Feige could not fix much of Batman v Superman, it is possible he'd help get a better cut in theaters from the get-go. Warner Bros. refused to let Snyder release his original 3 hours cut, even though the future Ultimate Edition release brought better reviews. With Kevin Feige in charge and him likely having a lot of control upon the switch, he might have had the power to help make Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Ultimate Edition the only cut to exist.
Kevin Feige Would Better Execute The DCEU's Vision
The real impact of Kevin Feige's addition to the DCEU would be felt in the execution of the overall plan. Suicide Squad's original Justice League connection could have remained. All of this would help audiences feel more confident that certain teases would be paid off and that there was a clear direction for the shared universe.
DC Would Now Be Ahead Of The MCU
This alternate universe where Kevin Feige leaves Marvel for DC would mean that the DCEU is now in a better position than the MCU. DC would have a strong figurehead leading a singular creative charge, even as WB mergers happen, which has so far not been the case. The DCEU has repeatedly been hurt by changing figureheads, whether it be Zack Snyder, Geoff Johns, or Walter Hamada, and the different visions that they have. Kevin Feige's leadership would give DC a steady hand at the wheel of their shared universe who could work behind the scenes and in the press to improve the public reputation of the DCEU. It would also result in the DC movies leaning further into the stuff Marvel wasn't doing, which means more diverse leads - like Cyborg, John Stewart, Jessica Cruz, Harley Quinn, Big Barda, etc. - and possibly even maintaining the slightly darker tone DC became known for.
It's true that Kevin Feige and the DCEU would still be the "underdog" when he first ed, but it would only take one hit from DC and one arguable stumble from the MCU to shift the narrative. If Captain America: Civil War happened without Iron Man or the Russo Brothers, the movie could have been the turning point - especially if Kevin Feige worked with Zack Snyder to tweak some aspects of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. If not then, 2017's release of Wonder Woman and a third Thor movie that possibly never gets Taika Waititi's much-needed comedic reinvention could have been the real point where DC es Marvel. And with a few years of momentum under his belt, a promising slate, and no studio interference, Kevin Feige could have ushered in a new era.
