Longtime Marvel executive Dave Bushore is leaving the company to explore and create new ventures.
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| Dave Bushore Courtesy of Marvel Studios |
Bushore, who spent 15 years at the studio, most recently served as VP of franchise creative & immersive development for Marvel, departing on a high note in his career.
He was the director and executive producer of What If...? — An Immersive Story, a collaboration between Marvel and ILM for Apple Vision Pro, which won a Creative Arts Emmy for outstanding innovation in emerging media programming.
The project also made its debut at the Venice International Film Festival in the “Best of Experiences” Immersive section, marking Marvel’s first appearance at the festival as one of 10 globally selected immersive projects.
“Being invited to Venice was mind-blowing,” Bushore shared with Reporter. “Seeing how this new type of content was embraced and watching people, filmmakers, and ambassadors experience it was truly amazing.”
This aligns perfectly with what this self-described “story nerd” is eager to pursue.
Bushore is not joining a new company, but rather venturing into uncharted territory. He aims to leverage his experience at the crossroads of technology and how audiences engage with their favorite brands. His vision is to craft groundbreaking, emotionally resonant experiences that push the limits of media and entertainment.
Bushore joined Marvel in 2009, after The Incredible Hulk was released, and worked as a coordinator for Brad Winderbaum, now head of TV, streaming, and animation. He fondly remembers watching the first two Iron Man films with friends and explaining who Nick Fury was to them.
As the MCU expanded, so did Bushore's career. He worked in home entertainment, TV specials, parks development, and eventually joined the franchise team, handling special projects and initiatives beyond theatrical releases.
His work on What If...? will continue to reach audiences, as the experience has been released internationally in Apple Vision Pro-supported regions, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the UK.
Additionally, the XR Awards, which celebrate virtual and augmented reality achievements, announced on Aug. 19 that What If...? is a 2024 finalist in the “XR Film & Experience of the Year” category, with winners set to be revealed on Dec. 5.
Bushore says his time at Marvel taught him a great deal about storytelling and world-building, and he remains in awe of the creativity of his colleagues.
“I’m going to miss the people, the characters, and the ideas that fill the hallways,” he said. “There’s no place like Marvel Studios for that—it’s infectious."
However, he adds, “I’m ready to channel that energy and big ideas into new kinds of stories.”