Just when I was getting sick of the Martin Scorsese versus Marvel debate, the filmmaker has returned with another comment. If you been living under a rock, you may not have heard about the Taxi Driver director’s slams against comic book movies. To fill you in, he said that those type of movies are not “cinema,” and compared them to theme parks. Then he commented again. That time, he called Marvel out by name. He said that they are “invading” cinemas, and that theater owners should refuse to play them. Now, he’s made yet another comment.
But this time, it sounds like he’s backpedaling in wake of the backlash.
Entertainment Weekly featured a piece on Martin Scorsese. This time, he’s clarified himself over the controversial comments.
“The tentpole films, the big comic book films, they’re theme park movies — as well done as many of them are, at all levels. It’s a different cinema form or a new art form entirely. We’re hoping there are theaters that show the films that are not that. And that if they’re not going to show it that filmmakers still have an opportunity with streaming — it changes the experience, but otherwise, in two to three years now, it’s not being done. A good filmmaker comes in from Italy or France comes in, the film has to be a [franchise] or they won’t do it anymore.”
He still stands by his opinions on what theaters should play. But he seems to have changed his tune on comic book films. They’re still “theme park movies” to him. However, now he acknowledges that they’re at least well done.
I completely disagreed with his hateful comments from before. But now, in his clarification, he finally said something I agree with. The days of standalone movies do not draw crowds in like they used to. They have to be a franchise to be successful. I love Marvel and DC. But I can’t seem to find myself drawn to a movie if I don’t know anything about it. And furthermore, I also love the tool of the cinematic universe. But that also negates the stand-alone, independent movie.
Scorsese also touched on today’s streaming opportunities. His new movie will stream on Netflix. The Irishman will recycle actors from his tenure, Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino. Note that he also uses familiar territory to make a film. And also, to garner publicity for his movie, he’s had to go out of his way to utilize Marvel.
But if only he would have said this newest statement to begin with.
The Irishman will have a short theater run, starting November 1st. Then it will be available to stream via Netflix on November 27th. That way, moviegoers can experience the film how they like. But perhaps, cutting its theater presence short is still a disadvantage on his hopes for cinema.
Hopefully, this closes the book on Scorsese’s drama likely bigger than The Irishman hopes to be. But if there’s more, you can bet Screen Geek will be there.