David Maisel will step down as chairman of Marvel Studios upon the finalization of the Disney/Marvel merger. Maisel joined Marvel in 2004 as prexy of the studio. He was promoted to studio chairman in 2007 after he helped secure $525 million that enabled the company to start financing and producing its own projects; the first of which were
Iron Man and
The Incredible Hulk.
This is a shocking move considering that Maisel not only once worked at Disney (as director of corporate development and strategic planning), but is credited as being the first executive at Marvel to start talks with the Mouse House about a potential merger.
Until further notice, Kevin Feige (Marvel's President of Production) will serve as Marvel Studio's top executive, reporting directly to Walt Disney Studios chairman Rich Ross.
Maisel will serve as an executive producer on Marvel's next three movies,
Iron Man 2,
Thor and
The First Avenger: Captain America.
Information courtesy of Variety.