Marvel Movie Makers Respond To Martin Scorsese's Dismissing Superhero Movies As "Not Cinema"

By Kristy Puchko | Film | October 7, 2019 |

By Kristy Puchko | Film | October 7, 2019 |

Martin Scorsese is no fan of superhero movies. In promoting his upcoming crime-drama The Irishman, the legendary filmmaker told Empire Magazine, “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.”

And so it began. battle lines were drawn on Twitter. On one side, MCU and DCEU fans were criticizing Scorsese and his films. On the other, the director’s defenders either backed his opinion or his right to have one.

Here’s a taste of all that.

Martin, I love you man, your movies are brilliant, but chill. Let people enjoy things. It's nice to escape from reality every now and then. Not everything has to be dark, depressing, and revolve around crime and death. There's enough of that on the news, and outside my door. pic.twitter.com/hoakBiKwrd

— Alfred Sierra (@SierrArch) October 4, 2019

Martin Scorsese's comments on Marvel films is like listening to an artist condemn something as "not real art". Sure. It's not cinema to provoke some higher conversation, but it is the creation of many people who put tons of effort to create films that clearly provoke emotion.

— nik 😎 (@chimmychimmy08) October 4, 2019

He just sounds jealous as hell pic.twitter.com/UoT0ULOzLw

— Nella Verderosa (@NellaSays) October 4, 2019

MCU Right now pic.twitter.com/TIp4PrPLCf

— BenjaMeme (@Ben_Jammin___) October 4, 2019

Uhhhh Martin Scorsese just showed up at my house, kicked in the front door, destroyed my Marvel Blu-rays, poked a finger in my chest and said "Tell all those motherfuckers I'm coming for theirs next" so this thing is really getting out of hand

— Scott Wampler™ 🎄 (@ScottWamplerBMD) October 4, 2019

Martin Scorsese has contributed enough to the cinematic canon that he is entitled to any opinion he wants.

But if he criticizes the Paddington franchise, so help me God

— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) October 4, 2019

But things got really interesting once superhero movie makers started to weigh in. Here’s the response of James Gunn, writer/director of Guardians of the Galaxy 1 & 2 and the now-in-production The Suicide Squad.

Martin Scorsese is one of my 5 favorite living filmmakers. I was outraged when people picketed The Last Temptation of Christ without having seen the film. I’m saddened that he’s now judging my films in the same way. https://t.co/hzHp8x4Aj8

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 4, 2019

And I’m not saying religious zealotry is the same as not liking my movies, or in the same category. What I’m saying is I’m not fond of people judging things without actually seeing them, whether it’s a movie about Jesus or a genre.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 4, 2019

Avengers writer/director Joss Whedon:

“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

Doctor Strange writer C. Robert Cargill:

As I tweeted last night, I take no issue with Scorsese. The man's a genius.

I'm mostly taking issue today with all of the smug freelancers retweeting his quote, patting themselves on the back as if correct and vindicated, before lining up to watch and review the next one.

— C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) October 4, 2019

And last but certainly not least, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse co-director Peter Ramsey:

Martin Scorsese is a god. Marvel movies are fun and good. Chill.

— Peter Ramsey (@pramsey342) October 4, 2019

What do you make of Scorsese’s comments? Weigh in below.