Collider: These shorts are just ridiculously cute and so much fun!
CORT LANE: Well, Im glad you think so.
Obviously, we feel the same.
I do feel theres really something special here.
As part of the creative conversation, we said, Is there something that we could do there?
It brings in a broad range of Marvel fans and Funko fans, and its a really unique aesthetic.
Image via Marvel
Weve had a lot of luck with Marvel/Lego animated content.
We felt there was something similar, but really different here, too.
Funko is even more stylized and cuter and funnier.
Image via Marvel
Rarely do things go that well.
Do you have a big collection of them, yourself?
LANE: Ive just started because Im collecting the figures in the shorts.
Image via Marvel
But I have a much more expensive collective hobby, so I have to limit myself.
That limits me on starting new collections, or Id be living in my moms basement.
At least they dont take up a lot of room.
Image via Marvel
I like to display them all together and create these scenes.
With so many characters to choose from, how did you decide which characters would be in these shorts?
LANE: It was really easy.
Image via Marvel
As we were starting this,Deadpoolhad just hit really big.
I love Venom and I know Venom is probably the favorite villain of most comic fans.
We see that, in terms of the audience and the merchandise.
Image via Marvel
So, those two connecting with each other and playing off of each other is important.
And then, Rocket and Groot are so important for us.
Theres theGuardians of the Galaxysequel coming, and everybody loves those characters.
Quite simply, it was very easy.
LANE: Thats a really good question.
I like the vibe between Hulk and Thor.
Thats a big component of the nextThorfilm, so I think thats one Id like to see.
Im an old school Avengers fan, so Im a big Hawkeye fan.
Id like to see Hawkeye playing off of either Captain America or Black Widow.
Those are some of my favorites, but obviously, Im not the only decider.
Its hard to pick, really.
These first three shorts were the easiest to see opportunities.
I think the next batch, if we do more, will be tougher choices.
The animated shorts do a great job of bringing the cute, fun Funko Pop!
figures to life, and the tone fits both brands perfectly.
LANE: One of the earliest conversations was about whether theyd talk because Funko figures dont have mouths.
There was a very short but heated debate, and the decision was no.
We can have character reactions, but no actual talking.
We were clear that we wanted to have an action-adventure story with lots of humor.
Funko is a cute, funny brand.
And truly, all Marvel content has some level of irreverence.
Those are the elements of Marvel storytelling that help people really relate to and like the characters.
So, yes, it is a mash-up of how wacky Funko Pop!
figures are and how exciting Marvel action is, and I think weve bridged it nicely.
These shorts also really convey the personality of each character without having any dialogue.
They did a fantastic job of expressing characters.
Why do you think it is that so many people took to that bond so quickly?
LANE: Its interesting, its a case of opposites attracting, in terms of friendship.
Its a classic buddy movie dynamic.
Rocket is a little crazy and likes to blow stuff up, and Groot is a more gentle soul.
Their scales are so opposite, too.
So, get ready for a lot of that.
What can you say about what we can expect from the short with Deadpool facing off against Venom?
Its very much that Deadpool sense of humor, but in this cute way.
And then, Venom is just over the top Venom.
Is that something youre talking about or thinking about, at all?
LANE: To be honest, not yet.
Would I love to?
Youve said that youre a life-long Marvel fan.
When and how did that start for you?
Was there one thing that sent you on that path?
LANE: Yeah, and its actually really vivid.
The characters were super complex.
And Beast was feeling really sorry for himself because hes so grotesque looking.
The characters had guilt and they were complex.
I remember it so well because I was absolutely stunned.
From that moment on, I readThe Avengers, and I have all of those issues.
That was it for me.
Im still very connected to the characters of those era.
Scarlett Witch, in particular, is one of my favorites.
LANE: Well, that happened quite by accident.
I was working at Mattel and making Barbie movies, which was a really fun job.
But I got a call from Marvel, and I went in the next day and had my interview.
And they called me the next day.
It was really that simple.
It was transformative for me.
LANE: I would say that it started ten years ago, even before me.
They had these Lionsgate films and they were starting to develop some shows.
At the same time, the studio was starting production onIron Man.
So, they started creating some shows.
LANE: Its really good.
Every day, I come into work excited about some project.
you’ve got the option to view the Marvel/Funko shorts on the Marvel YouTube Channel atwww.youtube.com/user/MARVEL.
