“Eternals” actor Kumail Nanjiani has weighed in on the criticism Marvel movies have faced from top directors Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino.
The actor said in a recent interview that both Scorsese and Tarantino, who have made iconic movies over the years, have “earned the right earned the right to have an opinion on movies.”
Scorsese had earlier compared Marvel movies to theme parks, while Tarantino said Marvel actors are not movie stars.
Other Marvel stars like Simu Liu and Samuel L. Jackson have both shared their own opinions in support of the Marvel franchise.
Read on to learn more.
Kumail Nanjiani Says Martin Scorsese Has ‘Earned The Right’ To Criticize Marvel Films
Nanjiani shared his own thoughts about the criticism of the Marvel franchise by veteran Hollywood directors Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino.
The pair have criticized the multibillion-dollar franchise, Scorsese comparing Marvel movies to theme parks and Tarantino saying Marvel actors are not movie stars.
With regards to their opinion, the “Eternals” actor pointed out that the two directors have “earned” the right to criticize Marvel movies, although he vehemently disagrees with their opinions.
The actor said, per Insider, “I obviously love the movies Tarantino makes or Scorsese makes, and I may disagree with Scorsese’s opinion on superhero movies, but I mean, who else has earned the right to have an opinion?”
Both Scorsese and Tarantino have made iconic movies over the years that have landed multiple awards, which in Nanjiani’s opinion, gives the duo the right to speak freely.
He added: “If Scorsese hasn’t earned the right to have an opinion on movies, then none of us should have an opinion on movies.”
Martin Scorsese’s Criticism Of Marvel Movies
Back in October 2019, Scorsese had boldly criticized Marvel Movies in an interview with Empire Magazine.
“I don’t see them,” he said at the time, “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.”
Doubling down on his remarks, the veteran director said that Marvel movies failed to “convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”
Later that same month, Scorsese once again slammed Marvel movies for turning “theaters” into “amusement parks.”
He added, via Insider, “That is all fine and good but don’t invade everything else in that sense….Its not my kind of thing, it simply is not. It’s creating another kind of audience that thinks cinema is that.”
What Quentin Tarantino Said About Marvel Movies
Quentin’s remark about Marvel movies was more focused on the actors who took on the superhero characters.
“Part of the Marvelization of Hollywood is you have all these actors who have become famous playing these characters,” the director said during his appearance “2 Bears, 1 Cave” podcast, per Insider. “But they’re not movie stars. Captain America is the star. Thor is the star.”
He also expressed his reservations at the time about Hollywood’s recent preoccupation with producing superhero movies. He continued by saying that having more alternatives would make going to the movies much better.
Tarantino said, “There’s an aspect that if these [Marvel] movies were coming out when I was in my 20s, I would totally be fucking happy and totally love them. I mean, they wouldn’t be the only movies being made. They would be those movies amongst other movies. But, you know, I’m almost 60, so yeah. No, I’m not quite as excited about them.”
Samuel L. Jackson And Simu Liu Spoke Out Against The Criticisms
In response to Scorsese and Tarantino’s comments about Marvel movies, Hollywood stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Simu Liu shared their views.
Liu, who starred in “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” took to Twitter to say directors like Tarantino and Scorsese wouldn’t have let him be the star of the “$400 million plus movie.”
He also said that the duo “don’t get to point their nose at me or anyone,” although he respects their achievement in the film industry.
On the other hand, Jackson remarked that the acting abilities of Marvel actors are what truly draw the crowd to the cinemas.
He said during an interview with “The View”: “It takes an actor to be those particular characters, and the sign of movie stardom has always been, what, asses in seats? What are we talking about?”