In the wake of Marvel/Sony's "Spider-Man: No Way Home" earning more than half a billion dollars worldwide in less than a week in theatrical release, director Ridley Scott of "Gladiator" and "Blade Runner" fame is pissed off his latest film "The Last Duel" tanked at the box office, earning less than $30 million after more than 2 months in release, with Scott implying Marvel superhero movie "...scripts are not any fucking good...":
"Many of the elements that define cinema as I know it are there in Marvel pictures," said Scott. "What's not there is revelation, mystery or genuine emotional danger. Nothing is at risk. The pictures are made to satisfy a specific set of demands, and they are designed as variations on a finite number of themes.
"I narrowed it down to this. Almost always, the best films are driven by the characters, and we'll come to 'superheroes' after this if you want, because I'll crush it. I'll fucking crush it. They’re fucking boring as shit...
"So, why don't the superhero movies have better stories? They're mostly saved by special effects and that's becoming boring for everyone who works with special effects if you've got the money.
"Harrison Ford (in 'Blade Runner') was one superhero but everyone was confused because he got the shit beaten out of him at the end by the other superhero...
"...who they thought was the bad guy, but turned out to be a good guy. I think that’s pretty cool..."
Director Martin Scorsese of "Taxi Driver" and "Goodfellas" fame, apparently has given up on 'superhero' movies.
"I don't see them", he 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..."
Click the images to enlarge...