In a revelation that might have sent shockwaves through Hollywood a few years ago, the Wall Street Journal has confirmed that Warner Bros. once attempted to lure Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige over to run DC. That’s right — in the midst of its post-Justice League meltdown, Warner quietly approached the architect of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to save its own crumbling superhero empire.
“Soon after, Warner executives met with Kevin Feige, the longtime president of Marvel Studios, to try to convince him to switch sides… Those talks fizzled.” — WSJ, July 2025
At the time, the strategy made sense on paper. Marvel had been creating box office gold and was neck deep in the Infinity Saga, creating a powerhouse interconnected universe that seemed to be invincible. DC, on the other hand, was coming off the box office horrors of Justice League and the implosion of the failed “Snyderverse.”
Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel – HBO Max
Warner Bros. had no clear leadership, no plan, and no roadmap for its superhero properties. Desperate to compete with Marvel’s success, the studio tried to do the unthinkable: steal the man behind it all.
But Feige didn’t budge. He stayed loyal to Disney — and Warner was forced to look elsewhere. Ironically, that rejection may have been the best thing that ever happened to them.
Kevin Feige: A Career Collapsing in Real Time
While Feige was once hailed as the gold standard of franchise filmmaking, his reputation has taken a major hit in the years since Avengers: Endgame.
Ironheart in her new suit – Disney+
The post-2019 MCU has been plagued by box office flops, streaming bloat, and declining audience interest.
- The Marvels became the lowest-grossing MCU film of all time.
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania failed to launch the multiverse phase and alienated critics and fans.
- Eternals, Captain America: Brave New World, Agatha All Along, Ironheart, She-Hulk, Secret Invasion, and Thunderbolts (among others…) all suffered from poor reception or performance.
- Major storylines have stalled, stars have exited, and Disney+ fatigue has set in.
The Thunderbolts in Marvels Thunderbolts* – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
The once-flawless machine now feels broken, and even Marvel diehards admit that the brand is in disarray. Feige, once untouchable, now seems adrift.
Gunn and Safran: Warner’s Plan B Becomes Plan A
Long after Feige declined, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav began reorganizing the entire DC structure. In 2022, he appointed James Gunn and Peter Safran to run the newly created DC Studios — a move that unified film, TV, animation, and games under one roof, mirroring the Marvel model Feige pioneered.
James Gunn attends the European Premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3” in Disneyland Paris on April 22, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by StillMoving.Net for Disney)
Gunn, best known for Guardians of the Galaxy, had already proven he could work within a superhero sandbox while keeping a distinct creative voice. Safran brought producer experience from both Aquaman and The Conjuring franchises. The two now oversee every major DC project, from theatrical blockbusters to streaming series.
Their first major test: this week’s Superman reboot, written and directed by Gunn himself. Reviews for the film are mixed, and it will be interesting to see how it performs in its opening weekend box office.
Would Feige Have Fixed DC — Or Brought the Collapse With Him?
It’s the ultimate “what if” scenario: Had Feige jumped ship, DC may have enjoyed short-term credibility but long-term disaster. Would he have applied the same multiverse overcomplication, overextended streaming output, social justice heavy content, and inconsistent tone that now plagues the MCU?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 23: (L-R) Taika Waititi and Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios attend the Thor: Love and Thunder World Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in [Hollywood], California on June 23, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Warner’s failed attempt to steal Feige may have seemed like a loss at the time. But in hindsight, it may have saved DC from inheriting the exact problems Marvel is now trying to solve. Instead, DC Studios gets a fresh start, a unified vision, and a new creative voice who hasn’t burned out yet. It’s just going to be interesting to see whether that vision is something that DC fans connect with.
David Corenswet as Superman flying in James Gunn’s “Superman” – YouTube, DC
Gunn and Safran may not be Feige 2.0 — and that’s precisely the point. Sometimes, not getting what you want is the best thing that can happen. But with the new DC team facing their first major test this weekend, the decision to hire Gunn and Safran might be a huge triumph or account to nothing more than switching seats on The Titanic.
What do you think would have happened if Kevin Feige went to work for Warner Bros and DC? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
UP NEXT: Disney and ITV Sign Game-Changing Streaming Deal, Marking Major Shift in Industry Strategy
