06/14/2025
Reports of Marvel Studios facing budget cuts following Thunderboltsâ estimated $100M loss at the global box office have surfaced, alongside whispers of tension between Disney CEO Bob Iger and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Hereâs the breakdown:Thunderboltsâ Financial Performance: Thunderbolts, released May 2, 2025, grossed around $371M-$378M worldwide against a $180M production budget and $100M in marketing, needing roughly $425M-$500M to break even, per Variety and World of Reel. This makes it one of the MCUâs lowest-grossing films, second only to The Marvels ($206M). Despite an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score and strong audience reception (93%), its short theatrical run and lack of âlegsâ led to a projected loss of $50M-$100M.Budget Cut Mandates: Sources like MensXP and That Park Place report Disney is pushing Marvel to reduce budgets after recent underperformers like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ($476M), Captain America: Brave New World ($415M), and The Marvels. Thunderbolts was already a leaner production compared to Marvelâs usual $200M-$250M tentpoles, but analysts like David A. Gross from Franchise Entertainment Research note studios are broadly aiming to curb overspending post-pandemic. Disneyâs shift to a âquality over quantityâ strategy, as Iger stated in a May 2025 financial call, suggests tighter budgets for non-marquee films, with focus on sure bets like Avengers: Doomsday and Spider-Man 4.Reported Feud: Claims of a feud between Iger and Feige are less substantiated. Posts on X and some outlets, like a June 2025 World of Reel piece, hint at friction over Marvelâs direction, with Igerâs public praise of Thunderbolts as the âfirst and bestâ example of Marvelâs new strategy clashing with its box office flop. Igerâs push for fewer, higher-quality films contrasts with Feigeâs expansive Multiverse Saga vision, which some argue has diluted audience interest with complex narratives and Disney+ shows. However, no direct evidence confirms a personal or professional rift, and Igerâs comments at CinemaCon 2024 and earnings calls emphasize collaboration with Feige to rebuild MCU momentum.Context and Implications: Thunderboltsâ failure, despite positive reviews, signals potential MCU fatigue, with audiences less drawn to lesser-known characters from Black Widow and Disney+ series. SlashFilm notes its $74.3M domestic opening and 44% second-weekend drop were solid but not enough, unlike past MCU hits like Guardians of the Galaxy ($773M). Marvelâs next test is The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 2025), which early ticket sales suggest could break the slump. If budgets are slashed, riskier stand-alones may give way to safer, high-profile projects. Fans on X are splitâsome lament the loss, others see it as a chance for Marvel to refocus.No official statement from Disney or Marvel confirms budget cuts or a feud, but the pressureâs on to deliver with Avengers: Doomsday in 2026.