Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson dismiss Martin Scorsese’s comments on Marvel films | Hollywood - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson dismiss Martin Scorsese’s comments on Marvel films

Indo Asian News Service | By
Nov 12, 2019 05:33 PM IST

Avengers actors Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson have spoken about Martin Scorsese’s comments on the Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

Actors Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson have opened up about the ongoing debate over the Marvel brand of superhero films, which started after Hollywood auteur Martin Scorsese criticised the genre saying these films shouldn't be considered as cinema.

Cast member Chris Evans arrives for the special presentation of Knives Out at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).(REUTERS)
Cast member Chris Evans arrives for the special presentation of Knives Out at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).(REUTERS)

Although Evans and Johansson did not mention Scorsese's name, they alluded to the filmmaker's recent argument saying that such notions were old-fashioned, disappointing and sad. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Evans played Captain America and Johansson is seen as Black Widow.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"It's interesting because a couple of people in the past couple of days have mentioned to me that a couple of extremely esteemed directors have been really vocal about how the whole Marvel universe and big blockbusters are really like 'despicable' and 'the death of cinema'. At first I thought that seems kind of old-fashioned, and somebody had to explain to me, because it seemed so disappointing and sad in a way," variety.com quoted Johansson as saying.

"They said, 'I think what these people are saying is that at the actual theatre, there's not a lot of room for different kinds of movies, or smaller movies, because the theatre is taken up by huge blockbusters'. It made me think about how people consume content now, and how there's been this huge sea change with their viewing experience," added the actress, who will soon be seen in standalone Black Widow film.

To this, Evans added: "I think original content inspires creative content. I think new stuff is what keeps the creative wheel rolling. I just believe there's room at the table for all of it. It's like saying a certain type of music isn't music. Who are you to say that?"

Also read: Martin Scorsese writes NYT op-ed on Marvel controversy, says MCU movies lack ‘mystery and genuine emotional danger’

Evans and Johansson starred together in Avengers: Endgame, which has become the highest-grossing movie of all time. "We've been trying to organise this Avengers vacation," Evans said, adding: "We deserve a little victory lap. It's not just wonderful because you get to be a part of a pop culture phenomenon, the same way Star Wars impacted me. But I think what really will stay with me is the fact that the people we got to work with, truly there is not a bad apple in the bunch."

Last month, Scorsese spoke with Empire magazine about his views towards the Marvel movies, expressing that he regards them as "not cinema" and likens them to "theme parks". Since his initial remarks, Scorsese repeated the "theme parks" analogy at the BFI London Film Festival.

In a New York Times op-ed, Scorsese went back to his comments, and added: "What's not there is revelation, mystery or genuine emotional danger. Nothing is at risk. The pictures are made to satisfy a specific set of demands, and they are designed as variations on a finite number of themes."

Other veteran filmmakers who have criticised the Marvel brand of cinema are Francis Ford Coppola and Ken Loach.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

Oscars 2024: From Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Get more updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On