For quite some time now, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been facing backlash from multiple Hollywood legends like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola for being ‘fake cinema’. However, Nicolas Cage stepped up to be the one to jump to the fictional universe’s defense.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe
Cage, who himself has been a part of MCU while playing the fan-favorite character Ghost Rider, not only defended the franchise from industry giants but was also full of commendation for the franchise’s incredible works.
Nicolas Cage Jumped To Marvel’s Defence From Hollywood Giants
Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola slammed Marvel for creating a ‘fake cinema’
Also Read: 10 Times Marvel Pissed Off Fans by Canceling Movies That Would Have Set the Box Office on Fire
Back in November 2019, filmmaker Martin Scorsese found himself in a circle of backlash following his comment on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In an interview with Empire Magazine, the Goodfellas director had reportedly remarked MCU movies as not being cinema.
“I don’t see them. I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema,” Scorsese said. “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.”
Although he later clarified his comment by saying he wasn’t targeting Marvel specifically, another Hollywood legend Francis Ford Coppola followed suit a little later in 2022 and ended up slamming MCU for being fake. In an interview with GQ, he said:
“There used to be studio films. Now there are Marvel pictures. And what is a Marvel picture? A Marvel picture is one prototype movie that is made over and over and over and over and over again to look different.”
However, while these filmmakers were busy criticizing the MCU, Nicolas Cage didn’t agree with them. Talking to GQ regarding the same about a month after his uncle (Coppola), the Ghost Rider star jumped to Marvel’s defense, saying the following about the directors’ remarks:
“Yeah, why do they do that? I don’t understand the conflict. I don’t agree with them on that perception or opinion.”
But that wasn’t all; Cage had genuine reasons for defending Marvel as well.
Nicolas Cage Is Full Of Praise For The Marvel Cinematic Universe
Nicolas Cage defended the MCU from Hollywood legends
Continuing in the interview with GQ, Cage’s comment was countered by the fact that because of Marvel movies, it had become more difficult to produce other kinds of movies, preferably the ones that Nicolas Cage himself enjoys. To this, the National Treasure star said,
“I think that the movies that I make, like Pig or Joe, are not in any kind of conflict with Marvel movies. I mean, I don’t think the Marvel movie had anything to do with the end of the tweener. By tweener, I mean the $30 to $50 million budget movie. I think movies are in good shape. If you look at Power of the Dog, or if you look at Spencer or any of Megan Ellison’s movies. I think that there’s still Paul Thomas Anderson.”
Furthermore, he went on to praise the multi-billionaire universe for its outstandingly remarkable works on-screen that leave an indelible mark on audiences worldwide.
“Marvel has done a really excellent job of entertaining the whole family. They put a lot of thought into it. I mean, it’s definitely had a big progression from when I was doing the first two Ghost Rider movies. Kevin Feige, or whoever is behind that machine, has found a masterful way of weaving the stories together and interconnecting all the characters. What could be wrong with wholesome entertainment that is appealing to the parents and the children, and gives people something to look forward to? I just, I don’t see what the issue is.”
Source: Empire Magazine GQ
Although multiple Hollywood legends slammed MCU for creating a ‘fake cinema’, Nicolas Cage stood up to the franchise’s defense! Read More