Marvel Chief Maisel Steps Aside

David Maisel will step down as chairman of Marvel Studios when the company’s acquisition by Disney is completed at the end of the month.

Maisel joined the studio in 2004 and was instrumental in securing for Marvel the line of credit it needed to produce Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. He also was instrumental in getting the Marvel-Disney deal going as the former head of corporate development and strategic planning at Disney.

Maisel will continue to serve as an executive producer on the studio’s upcoming features Iron Man 2, Thor and The First Avenger: Captain America.

Marvel production president Kevin Feige will now be the company’s top officer, reporting to Walt Disney Studios chairman Rich Ross once the acquisition is completed on Dec. 31.