Martin Scorsese has tried—and, ultimately, failed—to find something to love about the glut of comic book blockbusters that typically dominate a theater schedule these days.
In an interview with Empire, the critically adored Irishman director was specifically asked about Marvel, to which he argued that MCU entries should be considered something other than cinema. A theatrical theme park, perhaps.
"I don’t see them," Scorsese said. "I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema. Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being."
Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn took to Twitter to take issue with Scorsese's Marvel comments. "Martin Scorsese is one of my 5 favorite living filmmakers," Gunn wrote. "I was outraged when people picketed The Last Temptation of Christ without having seen the film. I’m saddened that he’s now judging my films in the same way."
He added, "That said, I will always love Scorsese, be grateful for his contribution to cinema, and can’t wait to see The Irishman."
Martin Scorsese is one of my 5 favorite living filmmakers. I was outraged when people picketed The Last Temptation of Christ without having seen the film. I’m saddened that he’s now judging my films in the same way. https://t.co/hzHp8x4Aj8
Scorsese's The Irishman, meanwhile, is most certainly not a Marvel film. Early screening reactions from a wide variety of critics and general film enthusiasts give us good reason to believe that the prolific auteur has once again bagged himself a masterpiece, not to mention assembled a trio of top-tier actors that's largely unrivaled in other 2019 releases.
The film is based on Charles Brandt's 2004 memoir I Heard You Paint Houses and stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Fucking Pesci.
Following a select theatrical run on Nov. 1, Netflix will give everyone a chance to experience the epic from the comfort of home starting Nov. 27.
