Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman discussed his thoughts on Martin Scorsese’s recent criticism of Marvel films.
Since Martin Scorsese first outlines his criticism of the Marvel films, comparing them to theme park rides and saying they were not “cinema,” nearly everyone has been asked to weigh in on the acclaimed filmmaker’s comments. Recently, Martin Scorsese penned an essay acknowledging the merits of Marvel films while expressing concern about Hollywood’s tendency to focus on franchise blockbusters at the expense of original ideas.
Now, Chadwick Boseman, who starred as the titular hero of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, has shared his own thoughts on Martin Scorsese’s comments. During an interview with BBC Radio host Simon Mayo, Chadwick Boseman raised questions about the timing of Martin Scorsese’s comments while respecting the filmmaker’s opinion and noted that he is secure in himself considering Marvel Studios’ Black Panther earned the first Best Picture nomination for a superhero film:
“I have to respect his opinion because he’s a genius at what he does. At the same time you’ve got to think about when he’s saying it. He’s saying it when he’s possibly campaigning for an award. He’s saying it at a time when he’s making a Netflix movie, so that’s how eyes get on his film and it’s not going to be in the cinemas. It’s not going to be seen the best way. So, he again is speaking to the time period. He is speaking also to his advantage. So you have to take the truth of it. You also have to say, well, for me, the statement doesn’t, like you’re asking me also because I did the first, the superhero movie that was nominated for a (Best Picture) Oscar. I’m secure in that.”
One of Martin Scorsese’s criticisms of the Marvel film was that they don’t have any mystery for audiences, a comment Chadwick Boseman did not seem to agree with, at least when it comes to Black Panther. As Chadwick Boseman explained, Martin Scorsese’s inability to connect with the Marvel films could be due to generational or cultural differences since Black Panther surprised and engaged many moviegoers:
“The mystery that Scorsese is talking about, it’s in Black Panther. And I think the funny thing about it is if he saw Black Panther, he didn’t get that. He didn’t get that there was this feeling of being unsure. There was this feeling of not knowing what was gonna happen, that black people feel. Cause we never had a superhero like this before. We thought that they, you know, white people will kill us off. So it’s a possibility that we could be gone. So we felt that angst, we felt that thing that you would feel from cinema when we watched it. Maybe Scorsese didn’t get that when he watched it. That’s cultural. Maybe it’s generational. I don’t know, but I’m secure in what we did, you know? So his statements don’t really bother me.”
What do you think of Chadwick Boseman’s reaction to Martin Scorsese’s Marvel criticism? Do you think Chadwick Boseman’s explanation for why Martin Scorsese might not see the value in Marvel films holds some truth? Let us know your thoughts on Chadwick Boseman’s Martin Scorsese comments below!
Chadwick Boseman is set to reprise his role as King T’Challa in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther II. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther II is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 6, 2022. In the meantime, fans can re-watch Chadwick Boseman’s first standalone outing in Marvel Studios Black Panther.
Marvel Studios “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
Directed by Ryan Coogler from a script he co-wrote with Joe Robert Cole, Black Panther stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Sterling K. Brown, Florence Kasumba, John Kani, with Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
Black Panther is now available on Digitial HD, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray, and DVD
Source: Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review
