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James Gunn ‘Saddened’, Joss Whedon ‘Angry’ After Martin Scorsese Calls Marvel Films ‘Not Cinema’


James Gunn 'Saddened', Joss Whedon 'Angry' After Martin Scorsese Calls Marvel Films 'Not Cinema'
WENN/FayesVision

The ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ helmer and ‘The Avengers’ director are disappointed, yet remain respectful of the veteran filmmaker after he likens the superhero movies to ‘theme parks.’

AceShowbiz
As a veteran filmmaker, Martin Scorsese’s opinions matter in the industry and to his juniors. Thus, James Gunn and Joss Whedon couldn’t hide their disappointment after the Academy Award-winning director delivered quite a blow to Marvel movies, which Gunn and Whedon have taken part of.

Taking to his Twitter account, Gunn, who has directed two “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, compared Scorsese’s judgment to criticism about the 76-year-old’s 1988 movie “The Last Temptation of Christ” because of its religious content. Noting that he defended Scorsese at the time, “The Suicide Squad” helmer wrote, “Martin Scorsese is one of my 5 favorite living filmmakers. I was outraged when people picketed The Last Temptation of Christ without having seen the film. I’m saddened that he’s now judging my films in the same way.”

Gunn later explained his previous tweet before it gets misunderstood. “And I’m not saying religious zealotry is the same as not liking my movies, or in the same category. What I’m saying is I’m not fond of people judging things without actually seeing them, whether it’s a movie about Jesus or a genre,” he tweeted.

Staying respectful of the veteran filmmaker, Gunn added, “That said, I will always love Scorsese, be grateful for his contribution to cinema, and can’t wait to see The Irishman.”

James Gunn Reacts to Martin Scorsese's Comment on Marvel Films

credit: @JamesGunn/Twitter

Whedon, who joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe earlier by directing 2012’s “The Avengers” and its 2015 sequel “Avengers: Age of Ultron“, felt that the comment was unfair to his colleague Gunn. “I first think of @JamesGunn, how his heart & guts are packed into GOTG,” he posted on his own social media account. “I revere Marty, & I do see his point, but… Well there’s a reason why ‘I’m always angry’,” he remarked.

Joss Whedon Reacts to Martin Scorsese's Comment on Marvel Films

credit: @joss/Twitter

Scorsese was previously asked about his comment on Marvel films in an interview with Empire magazine. “I don’t see them. I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema,” he told the publication. Further dismissing the superhero flicks from MCU, he added, “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.”

Doctor Strange” scribe C. Robert Cargill echoed Gunn and Whedon’s sentiment as he tweeted, “Anyone who thinks Marvel is only trying to make theme park rides is being unjust and cynical.” He went on explaining, “I take no issue with Scorsese. The man’s a genius. I’m mostly taking issue today with all of the smug freelancers retweeting his quote, patting themselves on the back as if correct and vindicated, before lining up to watch and review the next one.”

Actor/director John Lurie had a stronger reaction, posting, “Once I was pissed at Marty but for a very different reason. Shut up you little nerds. #scorsese.” Journalist and filmmaker Bilge Ebiri said he wasn’t surprised by Scorsese’s comment, snarkily tweeting, “If people are gonna start arguing with Martin Scorsese over his opinion on comic book movies, just wait till they find out what he thinks about God.”

Scorsese has not responded to the controversy sparked by his comment on Marvel films.