‘Doctor Sleep’ Director Mike Flanagan Reacts To Marvel Criticism

Marvel Doctor Sleep Mike Flanagan Martin Scorsese

Doctor Sleep director Mike Flanagan countered the recent criticism of Marvel films by acclaimed filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola.

Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese inspired debate among superhero film fans after comparing the Marvel projects to theme park rides and noting that he believes they are not true “cinema.” The conversation on whether or not Martin Scorsese has a point is continuing as filmmakers from within and outside of the Marvel family are asked to weigh in on the revered director’s comments.

During an interview with Cinepop on the press tour for his upcoming film Doctor Sleep, a sequel to Stephen King’s classic tale The Shining, director Mike Flanagan was asked about Martin Scorsese’s Marvel comments. In response, Doctor Sleep director Mike Flanagan turned to an old Martin Scorsese quote to explain why he disagrees with the filmmaker’s Marvel criticism and added that he believes cinema encompasses more than one type of film:

“No. No I don’t. I cried at Endgame. Martin Scorsese said, ‘movies are our dreams,’ you know? I don’t think you can look at a Marvel movie, superhero movies, you know, good versus evil and those epic stories, I don’t think you can say one dream is better or more authentic than another. I think cinema encapsulates so many different visions and so many different types of stories, and it’s all about giving people a shared experience, and characters that they can grab on to. Marvel movies absolutely do that for me, so no I don’t agree. I agree with his first statement. ‘Movie are our dreams.'”

When asked if he would be willing to direct a superhero film after Doctor Sleep, Mike Flanagan replied, “Absolutely.”

Are you excited to see Doctor Sleep? Do you agree with Mike Flanagan’s take on Marvel films? Would you like to see Doctor Sleep director Mike Flanagan helm a Marvel film? Let us know in the comments!

Here is the official synopsis for Doctor Sleep:

Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.” Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat and her followers, The True Knot, who feed off the shine of innocents in their quest for immortality.

Forming an unlikely alliance, Dan and Abra engage in a brutal life-or-death battle with Rose. Abra’s innocence and fearless embrace of her shine compel Dan to call upon his own powers as never before—at once facing his fears and reawakening the ghosts of the past.

Written and directed by Mike Flanagan, Doctor Sleep stars Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Carl Lumbly, Zahn McClarnon, Emily Alyn Lind, Bruce Greenwood, Jocelin Donahue, Alex Essoe and Cliff Curtis.

Doctor Sleep will be released in theaters on November 8, 2019.

Source: CinePop

Sebastian Peris

Sebastian Peris

Canadian film buff, political junkie, comic book geek, and board game enthusiast.