21/07/2025
Kevin Feige had a clear and compelling response to critics who accuse the MCU of being “woke” or overly focused on DEI initiatives. In a conversation with reporters on July 20, 2025, he challenged the notion—stating that Marvel’s approach mirrors our real-world diversity, not a fictional utopia or dystopia.
He explained, “I said this before ‘woke’ and ‘DEI’ became a thing and I’m still saying it after: Marvel is the world outside your window… It’s not Gotham City and Metropolis. This is New York and L.A.. And yes, there’s also Wakanda and Asgard, but it is all made up of the people who make up our world.”.
Feige didn’t frame Marvel’s diverse casting as a trend, but as a long-standing creative philosophy. He emphasized that the studio began representing a broader array of characters well before “woke” became a buzzword, and that those values remain intact. What's more, he pointedly differentiates fictional landscapes—like Wakanda or Asgard—from the familiar, multicultural cities of the real world, such as New York and Los Angeles..
Feige’s statements come during a period when many Hollywood studios are retreating from formal DEI initiatives. Disney, for example, recently rebranded its DEI program amid external pressures, despite maintaining on-screen diversity in MCU projects..
Yet Feige stands firm. He celebrated recent diverse heroes—Ms. Marvel, Shang Chi, and Black Panther—not just as isolated successes, but as cultural milestones that drive authentic storytelling. He emphasized that the studio will continue featuring such characters regardless of box office performance or backlash..
Kevin Feige boldly framed Marvel as a mirror to our real world—a creative decision, not a political statement. By distancing the MCU from purely fictional cities and reaffirming his long-held values, he underscored a commitment to inclusive narratives that reflect our society as it actually is.