With their blockbuster success over the past decade, it should come as no surprise that a job at Marvel Studios has undoubtedly become one of the most, if not the most highly coveted position in the entirety of Hollywood. Landing a gig at the studio that Kevin Feige built is a career-altering moment, and has proven time and time again to turn promising young talents into household names.
Speaking with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier head writer Malcolm Spellman, who recently got his shot to play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he shared with us his experiences at Marvel Studios, a journey that actually began nearly a decade ago. Spellman also spoke about how he ended up getting his job, which, due to an untimely migraine, nearly didn't happen!
"It’s intimidating, and I think most writers in Hollywood are mindful when they come to Marvel because you have to be a fan and they respond to passion, so you can’t fake it coming in and so, I’ve only gone into Marvel one other time and that was ten years ago.
For this one, I knew I had something to say and I knew if they invited me in, I could make it work no matter what, how the story evolved or changed, and so, I went in there and I initially pitched to Nate Moore and Zoie Nagelhout, and they became my partners. Marvel assigns you writing partners to go do a project and I crushed it with them, and I talked about black excellence, the ambivalence a black man would have facing the shield, talking about Bucky having all this baggage that’s been established in the MCU. I talked about bringing it all together, they had ideas, it was great, we were vibing and then I pitched to Kevin and bombed because like a week later, they brought me in to pitch to Kevin and Lou and I had a migraine and I tanked it.
I think one of the unique things about Marvel is that Kevin trusted Nate and Zoie enough - because other writers are coming in also - and he trusted Nate and Zoie enough to say “I know he was terrible, but I’m telling you that when this guy is not in agony, he’s extremely passionate and has some really good ideas."
Check out our full video interview (which includes mild SPOILERS) with head writer Malcolm Spellman below, and please don't forget to like and subscribe!
Marvel Studios’ “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson aka The Falcon, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier. The pair, who came together in the final moments of “Avengers: Endgame,” team up on a global adventure that tests their abilities—and their patience. Directed by Kari Skogland with Malcolm Spellman serving as head writer, the series also stars Daniel Brühl as Zemo, Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, and Wyatt Russell as John Walker.