While DC was dominating the superhero movies, Marvel Cinematic Universe came into play and there was a sudden boom in the superhero movies. The impact of it engulfed a global audience. Of course, many celebrities have openly criticized the domination of these movies, especially the Marvel movies as the studio constantly dominates the box office with huge revenue.
Mel Gibson who is often riddled with controversies has also been vocal against superhero movies. The Oscar winner had some strong words to intimidate the superhero fans when he was promoting his 2016 movie Hacksaw Ridge.
Also Read: Marvel’s Misfires: Exploring the 10 Worst Marvel Movies Beyond the MCU
Mel Gibson’s Verdict on Marvel Movies
Despite his controversies, Mel Gibson has a splendid career to his name with movies like Braveheart, and Mad Max. The two-time Oscar winner, however, has never been a fan of superhero movies and he has some brutal words for the MCU and DC movies. Speaking with Deadline, the actor/director called Zack Snyder’s DC movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice “a piece of s*it.”
“I’m not interested in the stuff (comic book movies). Do you know what the difference between real superheroes and comic book superheroes is? Real superheroes didn’t wear spandex.”
In a separate talk with The Washington Post, he explicitly said that Marvel movies depict “violence without conscience” comparing the essence of violence in his movies. “Look at any Marvel movie. They’re more violent than anything that I’ve done, but [in my movies,] you give a sh*t about the characters, which makes it matter more. That’s all I’ll say,” he told the outlet. Gibson was not the only one to have a bad impression of comic book movies. But there are certain celebrities who rightfully defended the genre as well. Here are 5 celebrities who defended superhero movies.
Also read: Marvel Beyond: The 10 Top Non-MCU Marvel Movies
5. Kevin Smith
Dogma and Clerks director Kevin Smith defended superhero movies after Martin Scorsese criticized the genre. “You’re asking a guy who made Goodfellas what he thinks about Spider-Man, what do you think you’re going to get?” Smith told Forbes.
“He’s a very serious filmmaker, and he’s a man who’s of a certain age and stuck in his ways. You should not be surprised that’s his response…But it doesn’t take away from your enjoyment of the thing. Guess what? For every old filmmaker who’s like, ‘I don’t get it,’ there’s a bunch of young filmmakers who are like, ‘I get it and I want to do it.’ We don’t have to ostracize the people that maybe don’t get or aren’t into the same movies we are.”
The director asked everyone not to engage in a feud with Scorsese and move on.
4. Robert Downey Jr
While MCU’s Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr himself appreciates constructive criticism, he could not accept the idea that Marvel cinema was being labeled as “not true cinema.” It makes no sense to the Avenger actor. “There’s a lot to be said about how these genre movies — and I was happy to be a part of the ‘problem,’ if there is one — denigrated the form of cinema,” Downey Jr said appearing on The Howard Stern Show. Downey Jr’s tenure in the MCU is over but being a part of a huge superhero franchise, his defense was to keep the integrity of the superhero movies intact.
3. Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman appeared in MCU’s Thor franchise and she rightfully defended the brutal criticism of other celebrities like Gibson. Portman believes, there is room for all types of cinema and artwork can be produced in more than one way. The actor also emphasized the entertaining value of the Marvel movies and how it helps to endure hardship of people.
2. Nicolas Cage
Despite being the nephew of legendary filmmaker and MCU critic, Francis Ford Coppola, Nicolas Cage has been a huge fan of superheroes. In fact, he changed his last name being inspired by the MCU hero Luke Cage. The actor also starred in Marvel’s Ghost Rider in 2007 and he believes that all types of movies can survive if the contents are good.
1. Samuel L. Jackson
MCU regular Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in several movies from the studio. Recently, he got his MCU character Nick Fury’s solo show on Disney Plus. The 74-year-old has every right to defend Marvel movies as it has played a huge part in his remarkable career. For Jackson, “all movies are valid.”
“Some go to the cinema to be moved dearly. Some like superheroes. If somebody has more butts on seats, it just means your audience is not as broad,” Jackson told Times once.
The legendary actor is still working in the MCU. He will appear in the studio’s upcoming slate The Marvels, scheduled to hit theaters on 10 November 2023.
Also read: Top 5 Worst Marvel Movies: Black Panther and Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is Surprisingly in the List
