UPDATED 11/23, 9:38 a.m. ET: Simu Liu, star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has responded to Quentin Tarantino’s remarks about the “Marvel-ization of Hollywood.”
In a series of tweets, the actor reflected on his own appreciation for Tarantino’s work while also criticizing how “white as hell” the Golden Age of Hollywood was.
“No movie studio is or ever will be perfect,” Liu said. “But I’m proud to work with one that has made sustained efforts to improve diversity onscreen by creating heroes that empower and inspire people of all communities everywhere. I loved the ‘Golden Age’ too.. but it was white as hell.”
See original story below.
Martin Scorsese isn’t the only A-list director who has beef with comic book movies.
During a recent appearance on Tom Segura’s 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast, Quentin Tarantino blamed Marvel’s reign atop Hollywood for the decline in traditional movie stars.
“Part of the Marvel-ization of Hollywood is…you have all these actors who have become famous playing these characters,” Tarantino said. “But they’re not movie stars. Right? Captain America is the star. Or Thor is the star. I mean, I’m not the first person to say that. I think that’s been said a zillion times…but it’s like, you know, it’s these franchise characters that become a star.”
Tarantino maintained that he doesn’t “hate” superhero films but resents how completely they’ve monopolized Hollywood.
“My only axe to grind against them is they’re the only things that seem to be made,” he added. “And they’re the only things that seem to generate any kind of excitement amongst a fan base or even for the studio making them. That’s what they’re excited about. And so it’s just the fact that they are the entire representation of this era of movies right now. There’s not really much room for anything else. That’s my problem.”
Granted, it isn’t the first time Tarantino has voiced his distaste for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times earlier this month, the Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood director made it very clear that he has no interest in dabbling in the superhero world.
“You have to be a hired hand to do those things,” Tarantino said. “I’m not a hired hand. I’m not looking for a job.”
Listen to Tarantino’s full interview with Tom Segura below.
