Every few months, a prominent director gives an interview where they criticize the Marvel cinematic universe for destroying the film industry. Luminaries likes Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola have taken issue with the disruption of the movie business, which has as much to do with changing times and the way audiences view movies than it does Marvel, specifically. As studios focus on tentpole and franchise projects, they produce less original fare and prestige films. Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Nick Fury in the MCU, responded to those criticisms during an appearance on The View.
Jackson remarked that “it’s easy” for directors to slam the MCU “only because people aren’t going to see their movies.” He continued, “Movies are movies, … Those are the movies that I went to see when I was a kid. And the artistry of making a movie is something that was a mystery for so long. Making movies is no longer a mystery. Kids know how to do it on their phones. So it’s easy for [directors] to dismiss it, only because people aren’t going to see their movie.”
Jackson then talked about the role that superhero movies play in the cinematic landscape, namely fun, family-friendly escapism. “It’s like we’ve been dumbed down, but that’s always been the case,” Jackson said. “When we were younger, people went to see cowboy movies, and they went to see superhero movies of another ilk, they had superheroes on television. When you told a serious story, yeah, you find a niche audience — same thing still happens. People go to the movies to make themselves feel better and to get out of their daily existence.”
Jackson himself has worked in nearly every genre and style of film, from small independent films to some of the biggest blockbusters of all time. “All movies are valid,” he said. “Some go to the cinema to be moved dearly. Some like superheroes. If somebody has more butts on seats it just means your audience is not as broad. There are people who have had successful careers but nobody can recite one line of their parts. I’m the guy who says shit that’s on a T-shirt.”
(via Variety, Image: Marvel)
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