Spoilers and leaks have become a reality being a part of the MCU fandom. It seems almost as often as Marvel Studios releases a project, there are leaks ready to ruin some of the surprises found in each of these superhero epics. The latest of these has come with the upcoming Multiversal blockbuster Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This Doctor Strange sequel is being set up as one of the biggest Marvel films to date, so there are surprises aplenty to spoil.
But from the Marvel brass' perspective, these widespread leaks must be some of the most disheartening moments for the team behind these fan-favorite films. While studio president Kevin Feige and his team do everything to prep their talent and crews to keep things locked tight, it still seems that these hidden details end up making their way out somehow.
So how does Marvel Studios handle these sorts of spoilers and leaks? Well, in a recent press briefing for Multiverse of Madness, Kevin Feige told all on the subject.
Kevin Feige's Spoiler Strategy
During the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness press availability, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed his strategy when it comes to leaks and spoilers surrounding their movies and shows.
When asked about the problems that Marvel Studios faces with keeping their projects' plot twists and surprises secret before they're released, Feige said "the unfortunate truth is you don't," so he and the team work to make sure everything "works regardless of what has been spoiled or not:"
"The unfortunate truth is you don't [ keep it all under wraps], and therefore you need to make sure that the experience itself works regardless of what has been spoiled or not. We still do as good of a job as we can. I think a lot of people are getting good at not spreading it. Somebody steals something, don't spread it around because it just potentially lessens the experience."
Feige continued bringing up last Fall's Spider-Man: No Way Home, making mention that despite all the leaks surrounding that film, "it did not lessen the experience:"
But in a lot of ways, No Way Home showed us that it did not lessen the experience. So we will continue to do the best that we can, but the most important thing is still delivering the movie or show that delivers regardless of what you know going in."
It's the Journey, Not the Destination
As leaks have run rampant in recent years, many fans have adopted the mantra of "it's not about the destination, it's about the journey," meaning it is not about what it spoiled it's about how the film or TV show gets there and the context surrounding it. And it seems Feige and the Marvel Studios team have very much the same way of thinking.
The No Way Home example was a perfect one to bring up. Think of the spoilers that made their way online in the run-up to that film. And sure some may have known about Tobey and Andrew in the movie beforehand, but it did not lessen the impact of finally seeing both of them walk through those portals for the first time.
Sure, Feige will do everything in his power to withhold massive surprises like this, but in a world that gets more connected by the day, things leaking out are an inevitability. There are too many moving parts for them not to. So it seems like a healthy strategy to do what he can as a Hollywood exec, but not burn the midnight oil worrying about it. Make the content work it and people will love these MCU projects whether they have been spoiled or not.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - the latest victim of these leaks - hits theaters on May 6.
