Icons Unearthed: Marvel

In the decades preceding the current Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel struggled through box office flops like "Howard the Duck," corporate skullduggery, and a bankruptcy.

Marvel risks everything betting it all on a second-tier character called Iron Man; Kevin Feige takes control of the fledgling Marvel Studios, hoping to build up to "The Avengers."

"The Incredible Hulk" seemed like a safe bet, but struggles between actors and the studio threatened to derail the MCU.

Kevin Feige assembles his team and lays out the roadmap to get to the Avengers. But how will Marvel integrate the world of Thor into the technological world of Iron Man? With a Shakespearean director at the helm and two unknown actors in the leads, will Marvel be able to create a villain worthy of the Avengers?

Only one superhero story remained to get to the Avengers--Captain America; the studio had to convince star Chris Evans to return to the world of superhero movies.

The Avengers was already underway, but with new corporate leadership under Disney, Feige's plan would be put to the test.