While some people are die-hard fans of the superhero genre, others aren't interested when an MCU film makes its way to theaters. Some can be intimidated by the number of MCU films and don't know where to start. Although, there are plenty of guides to assist first-time viewers who might want to start a binge-watch.
Generally, not every genre appeals to audiences. Much like horror and comedy have their critics, so does the superhero genre. Even though the MCU is currently a money-making machine, some talented and iconic directors would never step foot on a Marvel set.
10 Martin Scorsese Doesn't Think Marvel Films Are True Cinema
Martin Scorsese's career has spanned more than five decades, and he's been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director 9 times. His film contributions include the 1990 film Goodfellas, which details the life of a mob member named Henry Hill. Scorsese also directed the 1976 film Taxi Driver and even makes a cameo alongside Robert De Niro.
While Scorsese excels in the gangster action genre, he doesn't particularly enjoy superhero action. "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," said Scorsese in an interview with Empire Magazine.
9 Ridley Scott Doesn't Like Superhero Films In General
Many film buffs recognize Ridley Scott for films like Blade Runner and his recently released movie, House Of Gucci. With the action and sci-fi repertoire Scott has, one can't help but wonder why he doesn't prefer DC or Marvel films.
"Superhero movies are not my kind of thing - that's why I've never really done one. I've been asked several times, but I can't believe in the thin, gossamer tightrope of the non-reality of the situation of the superhero," said Scott in an interview with Digital Spy.
8 Francis Ford Coppola Agrees With Scorsese About The MCU
Francis Ford Coppola skyrocketed to fame in the film industry when The Godfather trilogy launched its first film in 1972, which would forever alter the history of the gangster genre. Coppola also directed the successful 1979 film Apocalypse Now and is related to a handful of successful actors, like Nicolas Cage, Talia Shire, and Jason Schwartzmann. Like another gangster film director, Coppola also has strong opinions about Marvel films.
"When Martin Scorsese says that the Marvel pictures are not cinema, he's right. We expect to learn something from cinema, we expect to gain something, some enlightenment, some knowledge, some inspiration," Coppola told France 24 after his acceptance of the Prix Lumière.
7 Jane Campion Despises Superhero Films
Jane Campion is a leading female figure in the film industry. Campion is the first woman to be nominated twice for Best Director and the first female filmmaker to win the Palme d'Or, which she won for her 1993 film The Piano. She recently directed the 2021 Western The Power Of The Dog, which may be Netflix's first Best Picture win. Campion has very strong opinions on superhero movies and why she will never direct one.
"I hate them. I actually hate them. They’re so noisy and ridiculous. Sometimes you get a good giggle, but I don’t know what the thing is with the capes, a grown man in tights. I feel like it must come from pantomime," said Campion in an interview with Variety.
6 Roland Emmerich Believes Superhero Films Ruined The Disaster Genre
Roland Emmerich is critically acclaimed for his directorial contributions to the disaster film genre. Emmerich is one of the highest-grossing film directors of all time, widely known for Independence Day and Midway. Recently, he directed the 2022 sci-fi film Moonfall, which bombed at the box office.
Emmerich has been vocal about his distaste for superhero films and has even stated he watches them to fall asleep. "Naturally Marvel and DC Comics, and Star Wars, have pretty much taken over. It’s ruining our industry a little bit because nobody does anything original anymore," stated Emmerich in an interview with Den Of Geek.
5 Bong Joon-Ho Is Uncomfortable About The Costumes
Bong Joon-ho is a critically acclaimed South Korean director, producer, and screenwriter. He is well-known for making history at the Academy Awards with the 2019 comedy thriller film, Parasite. Parasite became the first non-English film to win Best Picture, and the first South Korean film to be nominated for an Oscar. The costumes of the MCU make Joon-ho uncomfortable, and he refuses to direct one.
"I have a personal problem. I respect the creativity that goes into superhero films, but in real life and movies, I can't stand people wearing tight-fitting clothes. I'll never wear something like that, and just seeing someone in tight clothes is mentally difficult. I don't know where to look, and I feel suffocated," stated Joon-ho in an interview with Variety in 2019.
4 Patty Jenkins Doesn't Hate Superhero Films, Just Disagrees With How The MCU Is Run
Patty Jenkins is widely known for directing the 2017 film Wonder Woman and its 2020 sequel Wonder Woman 1984. Ironically, Jenkins was initially hired as a director for Thor: The Dark World, but she left the project because of creative differences with the MCU team. Ultimately, Alan Taylor replaced Jenkins.
"I really like the people who work there, but they want full control over their movies. The director is under control. But with Wonder Woman 1984, I think I did exactly what I wanted. And then, everything a superhero movie needs comes naturally to me: I love shooting great action scenes versus great sets. I really enjoy it,” stated Jenkins stated in an interview with Premiere.
3 Ken Loach Thinks Marvel Films Are More About Money Less About Art
Ken Loach is an English filmmaker known for approaching crucial social issues, like poverty, throughout his films. The Wind That Shakes The Barley and I, Daniel Blake both received the Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, making Loach one of the nine directors who have won the award twice.
" [MCU films] are made as commodities like hamburgers, and it's not about communicating and it's not about sharing our imagination. It's about making a commodity that will make a profit for a big corporation. They're a cynical exercise. They're market exercises and it has nothing to do with the art of cinema. William Blake said 'when money is discussed, art is impossible', " stated Loach in an interview with Sky News.
2 Alan Taylor Thinks Thor: Dark World Turned Into Different Film Than What He Wanted
Alan Taylor is mainly known for his contributions to the TV industry, like Lost and The West Wing. Taylor replaced Patty Jenkins two months after he left the production of Thor: Dark World. Although, Taylor also had a bad experience with the film.
"I’ve learned that you don’t make a $170 million movie with someone else’s money and not have to collaborate a lot. The Marvel experience was particularly wrenching because I was sort of given absolute freedom while we were shooting. Then in post, it turned into a different movie. So, that is something I hope never to repeat and don’t wish upon anybody else," said Taylor in an interview with Uproxx.
1 Alejandro G. Iñárritu Thinks Superhero Movies Are For Children
Alejandro G. Iñárritu is a Mexican film director, producer, and screenwriter recognized for films like The Revenant and Birdman. He became the first Mexican filmmaker to be nominated for Best Director with his 2006 film Babel. Considering the mature topics that his films approach, it's no wonder he would think superhero films are for children.
"I would be terrible [at making a superhero film]. I think there's nothing wrong with being fixated on superheroes when you are 7 years old, but I think there's a disease in not growing up," stated Iñárritu in an interview with Deadline.