Marvel Studios' secrets to preventing Marvel Cinematic Universe leaks are revealed in a new report, and they are quite outrageous. Over the past 14 years, the MCU has grown to become the biggest movie franchise of all time. The anticipation for a new MCU movie or Disney+ show and discussion surrounding the franchise is a dominant part of pop culture. The MCU's popularity has come at somewhat of a cost, however, as audiences are always hungry to learn more about upcoming projects. This has created a growing section of the fanbase that is obsessed with leaks, something that Marvel Studios obviously wants to avoid.
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Marvel Studios' security is often discussed as a key to the MCU's success, but leaks have started to become more common over the years. Set photos have always been around to give audiences some teases, while loose-lipped actors like Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo also drop the occasional spoiler. However, Phase 4 has dealt with a variety of leaks of significant magnitude. Images from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings surfaced online before the movie's premiere, while the entire first Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer leaked online. In each instance, comments about Kevin Feige and the "Marvel snipers" are often made.
In a new article by THR, the different ways Marvel Studios attempts to prevent leaks have now been revealed. Marvel's methods range from hiring more security personnel for conventions to prevent fans from recording footage to limiting the scope of the VFX houses they use. Since COVID-19 began, Marvel has been forced to spread its work to more VFX houses, but taking on an MCU movie or show comes at a cost. Marvel reportedly requires certain training to avoid leaks and make workers sign agreements that other people will not see their work. Back at Marvel Studios' offices, the security goes up another notch to avoid leaks. They have a specific room – called the Black Widow Room, in honor of Scarlett Johansson's MCU hero – that does not have any windows or internet access to keep anything shown or said in that room confined to the people inside.
Marvel's extensive methods to prevent MCU leaks are not all that surprising. Marvel Studios is notoriously secretive about its projects, even in regard to casting, roles, and plot points. Marvel and Sony made Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire, Tom Holland, and anyone else involved in Spider-Man: No Way Home lie about the Spidey team up to preserve the "surprise" for theaters. It does make sense in some regard, though, as Marvel knows holding off on its biggest secrets normally means they are met with high adoration.
As Marvel continues down the path towards Avengers: Secret Wars, the security measures are only going to tighten. Just as the studio went to extreme measures to hide Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame's biggest secrets, the two-part conclusion to Phase 6 will surely have even more surprises and spoilers. Marvel will certainly be looking to avoid the biggest MCU leaks in the years to come, which could be aided by VFX artists not working from home as much or Marvel Studios tackling the massive CGI workload internally.