The discussion of comic book movies has taken an interesting turn with the release of Joker. Despite its controversy, many critics have hailed the film as a true breakthrough for comic book cinema, and even consider it Oscar worthy. This isn’t the first time that comic book films were recognized as prestige art. In 2019, Black Panther was nominated for Best Picture along with several other nominations, and Heath Ledger won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight.

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But not everybody is singing the praises of comic book films, especially Martin Scorsese.

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The director of The Irishman commented on the popularity of comic book films and stated that he does not watch them because he doesn’t consider them “cinema”

“I don’t see them. 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.”

This statement prompted a number of responses online, particularly from Marvel directors like Guardians of the Galaxy’s James Gunn and Avengers: Age of Ultron’s Joss Whedon:

And James Gunn:

It wasn’t long until Marvel actors also responded:

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Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Nick Fury, told Variety that those comments were like “calling Bugs Bunny not funny”.

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Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. said on The Howard Stern Show that he respected Scorsese’s opinion despite the fact that it “makes no sense”.

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Karen Gillan, who plays Nebula in both Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Endgame, defended both Marvel movies and James Gunn in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

This debate probably won’t end anytime soon. Which side are you on?

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