THE BASEMENT BOOK SHELF: “The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe” by Tara Bennett & Paul Terry
I have been a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the release of IRON MAN in 2008. Their success with the leadership of Kevin Feige is the stuff of legends, creating some of the highest grossing movies of all time. At long last, there is a book worthy of telling this story. “The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry, is that book.
I have seen quite a few books released on the MCU, many of which are quite good. Despite that, is the definitive story of how Marvel Studios created the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as told by the studio’s creatives, and the cast and crew of THE INFINITY SAGA.
THE STORY OF MARVEL STUDIOS is the first-ever, fully authorized, all-access history of Marvel Studios’ creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as told by the producers, writers, directors, concept artists, VFX artists, cast, and crew who brought it to life. Year-by-year, project-by-project, the studio’s founding and meteoric growth are described through detailed personal stories, anecdotes, and remembrances of noteworthy challenges, breakthrough milestones, and history-making successes. Together, these stories reveal how each of the films evolved into one ongoing cinematic narrative, as coauthors Tara Bennett and Paul Terry (“The Official Making of Big Trouble in Little China,” 2017) chart the complete production history of THE INFINITY SAGA’s 23 movies (from 2008’s IRON MAN all the way up to, and including, 2019’s AVENGERS: ENDGAME and SPIDER MAN: FAR FROM HOME).
Tara Bennett and Paul Terry were granted unprecedented access to Marvel Studios, which led to this years-in-the-making tome containing personal stories from more than 200 interviews, including every Marvel Studios producer; MCU writers and directors; the stars of THE INFINITY SAGA; concept artists, costume designers, composers, and the talents behind the MCU’s dazzling visual effects; and more. Featuring previously unpublished behind-the-scenes photography and archival production material, as well as personal photos and memorabilia from cast and crew, THE STORY OF MARVEL STUDIOS is the essential, collectible chronicle of how the Marvel Cinematic Universe was brought to life.
This huge, two volume set is chock full of full color photos from the films as well as behind-the-scenes. What I also like is that it is one of those books that you will read cover-to-cover. The story is fascinating and you very easily get caught up into everything that went into these amazing films. This package includes:
- 512 pages chart the entire history-making story of Marvel Studios—from its inception, through Phases One, Two, and Three, and to the dawn of Phase Four
- Featuring more than 200 interviews with the studio’s staff, cast, and crew for all 23 movies in The Infinity Saga
- Includes more than 500 production photos, plus never-before-seen filmmakers’ archival materials and personal memorabilia from the cast and crew
- Deluxe two-volume, foil-stamped cloth hardcover set, featuring exclusive cover art by Ryan Meinerding (Marvel Studios Head of Visual Development)
- Metallized reinforced slipcase with exclusive wrap-around MCU concept art montage, featuring art by Adi Granov, Ryan Meinerding, Andy Park, and Charlie Wen
- Foreword by Kevin Feige (President of Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer of Marvel)
- Afterword by Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man)
Tara Bennett is a New York Times–bestselling author who has written (or co-written) thirty official books on TV and film, including Sons of Anarchy: The Official Collector’s Edition, Fringe: September’s Notebook, Outlander: Official TV Series Companions, Showrunners: The Art of Making a TV Series, and The Official Making of Big Trouble in Little China. Based in Los Angeles, Tara covers television and film for online and print outlets such as SFX Magazine, Total Film, SyFy Wire, and Paste Magazine. She is also an adjunct professor at Rowan University in New Jersey. She lives in Los Angeles.
Paul Terry is a music artist, producer, and bestselling author. He has written/co-written numerous official books on film and television, including: The X-Files, Lost, Fringe, Big Trouble in Little China, and many more. As a composer, Paul’s scores include: Sidney & Friends, the multi-award-winning feature documentary (which he also executive produced); the drama Emily (starring Felicity Jones and Christopher Eccleston); and the chiller Care. Under the moniker of Cellarscape, his albums include Exo Echo and the Independent Music Award nominated The Act of Letting Go. To date, Paul has composed and produced more than thirty albums. He lives in Los Angeles.
If you are a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or know someone that is, then this book is a must have. “The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe” is a book that you will find yourself going back to time and time again. The quality of this book is top notch, meant to last for a very long time.
Don’t forget to read the other blogs in my BASEMENT BOOK SHELF series.
~David Albaugh
