Not everyone is a fan of Marvel movies, and Robert Downey Jr. is perfectly fine with that.
Appearing on “The Howard Stern Show”, the Iron Man actor was asked about recent comments by Martin Scorsese slamming the Marvel franchise as “not cinema” and comparing them instead of “theme parks.”
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“I’ll tell you the truth, I didn’t expect [the Marvel Cinematic Universe] to become what it became and it is this very large, multi-headed Hydra at this point,” Downey said, joking. “I’ve always had other interests, and according to Scorsese, it’s not cinema so I have to take a look at that, you know?”
Pushed to elaborate, Downey said, “It’s his opinion. I mean, well, it plays in theatres. I appreciate his opinion because I think, it’s like anything, we need all of the different perspectives so we can come to centre and move on.”
He later added that he thought the idea of Marvel movies not being cinema “makes no sense,” explaining, “It’ll be like saying Howard Stern isn’t radio.”
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Asked whether the comments were about Scorsese being jealous, Downey responded, “Of course not, he’s Martin Scorsese. By the way, there’s a lot to be said about how these genre movies — and I was happy to be a part of the ‘problem’, if there is one — denigrated the art form of cinema. When you come in like a stomping beast and you eliminate the competition in such a demonstrative way, it’s phenomenal.”
In recent days, a number of other filmmakers and stars associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe have spoken publicly to defend the films, including “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn, “Avengers” director Joss Whedon, and actors Samuel L. Jackson and Karen Gillan.
