When Kevin Feige Got Off to a Less-Than-Incredible Start at Marvel

Kevin Feige’s early Marvel career included executive producing Ang Lee’s 2003 film *Hulk*, a project that earned a modest global box office despite positive critical comments about its artistry and emotion. The film’s performance marked a less triumphant start for a producer who later helped launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe and became one of the studio’s leading executives.

Feige joined Marvel after working on the 2000 *X-Men* and was an executive vice-president when *Hulk* was released. The film made $245 million worldwide against a $137 million budget; Marvel later regained the Hulk rights and released *The Incredible Hulk* in 2008. Mark Ruffalo took over the role from Edward Norton in *The Avengers* in 2012, and Feige now leads Marvel Studios and serves as Marvel’s chief creative officer.