Earlier this month, Martin Scorsese told Empire that he think Marvel movies aren’t cinema, but more like theme park rides. The Irishman director said: “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.”
Since then, Marvel movie stars and directors like Samuel L Jackson and James Gunn have responded to Scorsese’s criticisms.
The latter wrote on Twitter that he was saddened by one of his favourite directors “judging my films” without having seen them.
And now franchise lead, Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr, has finally spoken out on the issue.
Appearing on The Howard Stern Show this week, the 54-year-old was remarkably diplomatic.
Downey Jr said: “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.
“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?”
Downey Jr continued: “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.”
The actor confirmed he wasn’t offended by the comments and doesn’t think Scorsese’s jealous of Marvel.
He continued: “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.”
Downey Jr added: “When you come in like a stomping beast and you eliminate the competition in such a demonstrative way, it’s phenomenal.”
Meanwhile, a newly spotted Iron Man death Easter Egg allegedly answers a plot hole.
Marvel fans had wondered how Tony Stark didn’t struggle to wield the Infinity Stones before his Snap, while the Hulk did.
And now a new fan theory has spotted what appears to be an answer in first Iron Man movie.
Avengers Endgame is out now on home release.
