Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi explained why he disagrees with Martin Scorsese’s criticism of the Marvel films.
Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese started a passionate debate among moviegoers after criticizing the Marvel films, claiming they were not true “cinema” and likening them to theme park rides. While Martin Scorsese later clarified that he’s concerned about original projects struggling to gain support as Hollywood focuses its attention on superhero blockbusters and referred to the Marvel films as ‘new type’ of cinema, the conversation the revered director started does not appear to be dissipating any time soon.
During a roundtable discussion hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi weighed in on Martin Scorsese’s comments when asked if he agrees with the idea of the Marvel films being theme park rides. Having previously worked with Marvel Studios on Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi defended the films by noting that the creative team behind them put a lot of work into developing the story and emotional impact:
“Having worked for Marvel, I know how much work goes into breaking stories for those films, the shooting and the postproduction. It’s all based on story and affecting people emotionally. Maybe it’s too colorful for him.”
Taika Waititi added that comic books have always faced criticism for not being true art even before Martin Scorsese criticized Marvel. However, the Thor: Ragnarok director argued that superheroes are our modern mythology and their stories can have a meaningful impact on audiences:
“Comics and graphic novels, people have always laughed at them as not being real art or real stories. It’s simply not true. Superheroes are our new mythology. At the end of the day, stories are either teaching us lessons or helping us experience the human condition in different ways.
What do you think of Taika Waititi’s defense of the Marvel films? Do you Martin Scorsese has a point about Marvel films making it more difficult for filmmakers to find backing for original projects? Let us know your thoughts on Martin Scorsese’s comments below!
Taika Waititi is set to re-team with Marvel Studios for a fourth Thor film. Based on Jason Aaron’s Mighty Thor comic book run, the film will see Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster becoming the new Thor. The film will reunite Taika Waititi with stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson.
Thor: Love and Thunder is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 5, 2021.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
