Martin Scorsese says Marvel films are 'not cinema', 'Avengers' director responds

James Gunn also became upset and said 'Martin is judging without watching'

Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese recently stated that Marvel movies are “not cinema” and compares superhero fare to theme parks. According to Empire Magazine, The Departed director was questioned about the proliferation of the superhero genre and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. To which Scorsese revealed that he had tried to get into Marvel films and failed, because he sees them more as 'play pretend' than genuine human drama.



Ahead of the release of his Netflix original film, The Irishman, which reunited him with his Goodfellas and Casino stars Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, the director added that “I don’t see them. I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema, honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”

Martin's criticism was believed to be coming from Marvel's lack of awards success at Oscars and other film festivals, given that the studio focuses more on entertaining their audience than bagging awards and critical appreciation.

Kevin Feige stated last summer that Marvel is more concerned with captivating moviegoers “Maybe it’s easy to dismiss VFX or flying people or spaceships or billion dollar grosses. I think it is easy to say that you have already been awarded in a certain way. Alfred Hitchcock never won best director, so it’s very nice, but it doesn’t mean everything. I would much rather be in a room full of engaged fans.”

While James Gunn responded to the matter on his twitter, claiming that Martin is being judgmental.

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1180158383070105606

However, after receiving backlash for his comment, the 53-year-old went on to write: "For those tweeting me I’m somehow saying zealots picketing Last Temptation is the same as Scorsese judging my films, I’m not. What outraged me about the picketers at the time of Last Temptation is NOT that they thought the film was blasphemous. Nor that they were picketing."

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1180158818736574464

While the Avengers director, Joss Whedon, also took to twitter to support Gunn.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock (9640561d)Joss Whedon'Avengers: Infinity War' film premiere, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 23 Apr 2018

“It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”

I first think of @JamesGunn, how his heart & guts are packed into GOTG. I revere Marty, & I do see his point, but...

Well there’s a reason why “I’m always angry”. https://t.co/Wh3ptU2KBp

— Joss Whedon (@joss) October 4, 2019

According to Comicbook, Warner Bros’ newest film, Joker, took inspiration from Scorsese’s Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and The King of Comedy. In turn, Joker recruited frequent Scorsese collaborator De Niro for his first comic book movie.

Scorsese’s The Irishman releases on Netflix November 27.

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