Kevin Feige Explains the Flattering Reason Why Marvel Studios Poached A Star Trek Writer For One Upcoming Series

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Kevin Feige Explains the Flattering Reason Why Marvel Studios Poached A Star Trek Writer For One Upcoming Series

Key Takeaways

  • Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige draws inspiration for the Vision series showrunner from Star Trek: Picard.
  • Feige is impressed by Terry Matalas’ work on Picard Season 3, leading to his choice for the Vision series.
  • Despite potential impact concerns, Vision is set for a 2026 release on Disney+.

As a seasoned Marvel fan and avid gamer with over two decades of experiencing the thrilling rollercoaster ride that is the MCU, I must say that the latest news about the Vision series has me both excited and concerned. On one hand, Kevin Feige’s decision to bring on Terry Matalas, who impressed him with his work on Star Trek: Picard, shows a bold move to explore new creative directions within the MCU. The fact that this choice was inspired by Matalas’ impressive work on Picard Season 3 is a testament to the quality of storytelling and world-building in that series.

The forthcoming Disney+ series titled “Vision” draws upon an already renowned superhero within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and serves as a spin-off of another MCU program. Notably, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige reveals that the selection of the show’s showrunner is influenced by a different franchise.

The series “WandaVision” marked the initial significant Disney+ production within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and became one of the popular shows on the streaming platform, thanks to its unique blend of small-screen storytelling with references to earlier MCU narratives and connections to “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” The primary narrative elements revolved around Elizabeth Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda and Katherine Hahn’s performance as Agatha Harkness, but Paul Bettany’s reprisal of his role from the “Avengers” movies was also highly appreciated by fans. Their excitement peaked when it was announced that a new series for Disney+, focusing on Bettany’s character, Vision, was in development.

Originally, it seemed like the Vision series within the MCU could be an ideal continuation after WandaVision. However, the person steering the project’s development comes from quite distant shores. In an extensive conversation with Inverse, Feige disclosed that his decision to appoint Terry Matalas as the showrunner for Vision was driven by his appreciation of Star Trek: Picard’s third season, which Matalas oversaw. “That’s how I became acquainted with him,” Feige shared during the interview. “It was from his outstanding work on Picard Season 3. I said: This is fantastic! I can’t believe it exists. I want to meet the person who created this.” As a lifelong fan of Star Trek, Feige has acknowledged that numerous MCU projects have been influenced by his affection for this franchise, and this choice is simply another instance in a persistent trend.

It’s uncertain what direction Matalas intends for the storyline of “Vision,” but it’s unlikely it will mirror the narrative of “Star Trek: Picard” directly. Matalas’ involvement in the project is primarily rooted in the impact that his sole control over the third season of “Picard” (which was intended to be filmed simultaneously with the second season due to scheduling constraints) had on the show’s public image. Although the series was generally well-received, there was a significant group of fans who were not initially engaged with the show, particularly after the second season debuted. However, the third season was exceptionally well-regarded even by those who had been critical of the earlier seasons. The third season boasted an impressive 97% critic score and 89% audience rating, far surpassing the audience scores of the two preceding seasons at 52% and 30%.

Although introducing fresh creativity for the series is positive, there’s a potential issue: The Vision series might not make a significant impression on viewers due to its late release within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In comparison, Agatha All Along, another WandaVision spinoff, has faced criticism as the MCU’s least essential project primarily because of the substantial gap between WandaVision’s 2021 conclusion and its late 2024 release. While Vision enjoyed popularity as an Avenger member and a fan-favorite before WandaVision, his standalone series scheduled for 2026 raises concerns about a half-decade wait for the character. Considering that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has already taken place and Avengers: Doomsday is set for an early 2026 release, it’s unclear how the Vision series will remain connected to the MCU if it ties back to WandaVision, especially given its relevance to the current state of the MCU.

Although Star Trek serves as an influential blueprint for the show, the comeback of Robert Downey Jr. suggests that Marvel is also drawing from elements of Doctor Who. This could raise concerns since Doctor Who has experienced a decrease in popularity and fan bewilderment due to its reintroduction of past stars. It’s unclear how this will influence the MCU as it approaches Vision’s 2026 release.

Vision is currently set for release on Disney+ sometime in 2026.

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2024-08-27 23:23