The Town with Matthew Belloni Part 2: Sony Film CEO on Marvel’s Decline and Hollywood’s Originality Crisis
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Feb 24, 2026 
Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures CEO and veteran studio chief, discusses Spider‑Man’s rebooted future and the Sony‑Marvel partnership. He analyzes Marvel’s recent box‑office struggles and the impact of streaming on star power. He warns about Hollywood’s originality crisis and defends theatrical windows as vital to film culture.
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Kevin Feige's Humble Start During X-Men
- Rothman recounts Kevin Feige's rise from a junior assistant during X-Men meetings.
- He credits Feige's early ideas and calls him a genius, saying he would've been nicer if he'd known Feige's future status.
Scarcity Makes Franchises And Stars More Valuable
- Scarcity increases value for film franchises and movie stars; overexposure diminishes audience desire.
- Rothman argues Marvel's heavy TV interconnection made viewers feel excluded and that less frequent output can help.
Fewer Movie Stars Make Each One More Valuable
- Movie stars still matter more now because there are fewer of them, increasing scarcity value.
- Rothman lists Timothée Chalamet, Tom Holland, Zendaya and veterans like DiCaprio and Denzel as valuable draws.