Kevin Feige Says Marvel Rivals Inspired His Kid to Explore Hela and Punisher

In a fun twist that blends the worlds of Hollywood and gaming, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed that Marvel Rivals has made an impression not just on fans, but inside his own home. Speaking during a recent Q&A, Feige admitted the free-to-play brawler has sparked curiosity in his child, who has been diving into Marvel’s vast roster of characters after spending time with the game.

“They came to me asking about Hela and the Punisher,” Feige shared with a grin. “It’s wild—this game isn’t just being played, it’s creating new Marvel fans. It’s inspiring them to learn who these heroes and villains are beyond the screen.”

Marvel Rivals as a Cultural Bridge

The comment underscores how Marvel Rivals has become more than just another competitive online title. With its mix of blockbuster characters and unexpected roster picks, the game is introducing younger audiences to Marvel icons outside the mainstream Avengers spotlight. Hela, who ruled Hel in Thor: Ragnarok, and Frank Castle, Marvel’s hard-edged vigilante, aren’t exactly household names for kids. Yet through Marvel Rivals, they’re gaining traction with new generations. For Marvel Studios, this is an unexpected synergy. While the MCU typically pulls players toward films, here the influence is flowing the other way—games inspiring interest in comics and cinematic corners that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Gaming’s Expanding Role in the Marvel Machine

Marvel has long relied on films and comics to keep its characters alive in the public imagination, but titles like Marvel Rivals highlight how interactive media can plant seeds of fandom in fresh soil. It’s not just about crossover events or promotion; it’s about discovery. Feige’s anecdote is a reminder that games are often the first encounter fans have with characters. Just as Marvel vs. Capcom once gave X-Men and Avengers heroes global arcade exposure, Marvel Rivals may be the gateway for the next wave of Marvel diehards.

What It Means for the Future

If Marvel Rivals continues to engage players this way, Marvel Studios might see more organic bridges between its cinematic universe and the gaming space. A kid who first met Hela through the game might chase down Thor: Ragnarok on Disney+, while a player curious about Punisher could dive into Marvel’s grittier Netflix-era series or future projects. It’s a reminder of how porous fandom can be: the gateway doesn’t always start in a theater. Sometimes it begins with a late-night gaming session and a curious question to a parent who just happens to run Marvel Studios.