About

For over two decades, Michael Kutsche has been a driving force in character design for the entertainment industry's biggest franchises.
His talent has shaped the visual identity of blockbuster films and iconic characters, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood.

Michael's creative leadership is evident in his work on major films such as The Jungle Book (2016), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Oz the Great and Powerful (2013).
His design for Alice in Wonderland was pivotal, contributing to its $1.02 billion box office success. Additionally, Michael's unique vision brought to life the memorable characters in Maleficent (2014) and he re-imagined Winnie the Pooh and his friends in Christopher Robin (2018) and Ariel’s beloved sidekicks in The Little Mermaid (2023).

Having worked closely with Tim Burton as the principal character designer on Alice in Wonderland (2010) after Burton spotted his talent, Michael was the first choice for the live-action remake of Dumbo (2019) due to his earlier extraordinary contributions.

While working as the principal character designer on Sam Raimi's Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), Michael was promoted to a simultaneous position as the film's Costume Designer (a credit he shares with Academy Award nominee Gary Jones), after Academy Award winning Production Designer Robert Stromberg was impressed by his skill in the field of fashion design. The work resulted in a nomination for Excellence in Fantasy Film by the Costume Designers Guild.

At Marvel Studios, Michael played a crucial role in defining the visual style of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His designs for Thor (2011), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and Thor: Ragnarok (2017) have been instrumental in the success of these films.

Michael's imaginative approach and exceptional talent have made him one of the most sought-after character designers in the industry. His work has been featured in books and magazines worldwide, including the 2011 edition of "Illustration Now!" published by Taschen.

Clients include: Disney Studios, Dreamworks, Marvel Studios, Legendary Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Apple, Warner Bros., Netflix, Laika Studios, Paramount Pictures, Psyop, Passion Pictures, MPC, Method Studios, SEGA, The Creative Assembly, Saatchi&Saatchi