Recently, Oscar winning director Martin Scorsese spoke out to criticize superhero movies. He told Empire Magazine that he doesn’t watch them because they’re “not cinema.”
Now, actor Samuel L. Jackson–who is known for his role as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies–has responded to Scorsese’s comments. He said to Variety that it’s OK for people to have different opinions, noting that there are a good amount of people who don’t enjoy Scorsese’s movies either.
“I mean that’s like saying Bugs Bunny ain’t funny. Films are films. Everybody doesn’t like his stuff either,” Jackson said of Scorsese’s movies, which have included films like Goodfellas, The Departed, and Taxi Driver. “Everybody’s got an opinion, so I mean it’s okay. Ain’t going to stop nobody from making movies.”
Scorsese’s comments drew backlash from prominent filmmakers, including Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad director James Gunn. He said he wished Scorsese would have seen a superhero movie before judging them. Gunn said Scorsese is acting similarly to those who criticized Scorsese’s own controversial movie, The Last Temptation of Christ–without watching it first.
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
That said, I will always love Scorsese, be grateful for his contribution to cinema, and can’t wait to see The Irishman.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 4, 2019
Here are Scorsese’s comments about superhero movies in full, as given to Empire Magazine (via Variety):
“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.”
Scorsese is known for directing the mobster movies Goodfellas, Casino, and The Departed, the latter of which earned him an Oscar for Best Director. He also directed the Howard Hughes movie The Aviator and The Wolf of Wall Street, both of which starred Leonardo DiCaprio.
His next movie is another mafia movie, The Irishman, which reunites Goodfellas cast members Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci. The movie comes to Netflix and select theatres in November.
As for superhero movies, Scorsese’s comments will of course not stop Marvel and other companies from making them. Phase 4 of the MCU will include a lot of high-profile movies including Black Widow, Shang-Chi, Doctor Strange: In the Multi-Verse of Madness, and Thor: Love and Thunder. Additionally, Sony and Marvel recently reunited to bring Spider-Man back to the MCU for the time being.
