10 Actors And Directors Who HATE Comic Book Movies (And Why)

Superhero movies have mostly taken the year off, but the genre remains as popular as ever. When it comes to these actors and filmmakers, however, their hatred of the comic book adaptation is...intense!

By JoshWilding - Dec 08, 2020 08:12 AM EST

Filed Under: Marvel Studios

If you're reading this article, chances are you love superhero movies (after all, you are on a website called ComicBookMovie.com!), but there are a lot of people out there who don't feel the same - which is fine, as everyone is obviously entitled to their opinion.

There are, however, those who have what can only described as unreasonable takes on the genre. In case it wasn't obvious, we're talking about the actors and filmmakers who seem to have no time whatsoever for superheroes.

Their hatred of the genre is frustrating, but also a little amusing (especially when many of them clearly haven't watched much more than a trailer). With that in mind, we're now taking a closer look at 10 people who have admitted despising superheroes, while also delving into the reasons why.

To check out who made the cut, all you guys need to do is click on the "Next" button below!

Many thanks to Entertainment Weekly for the banner image.

10. Alejandro G. Iñárritu

After making a movie as great as Birdman, can you imagine what Alejandro G. Iñárritu could bring to the Marvel or DC Universes? Unfortunately, he doesn't see the value in telling those type of stories.

"I would be terrible [at making a superhero film]. I think there’s nothing wrong with being fixated on superheroes when you are 7 years old, but I think there’s a disease in not growing up," he said, before taking a shot at the genre as a whole. "I sometimes enjoy them because they are basic and simple and go well with popcorn."

Bizarrely, the filmmaker would go on to dismiss the notion that they're in any way profound, and argued that they're "right wing" because "I always see them as killing people because they do not believe in what you believe, or they are not being who you want them to be. I hate that, and don't respond to those characters."

Well, each to their own, eh?

9. Jason Statham

Say what you will about Jason Statham's acting abilities, but he's often an entertaining presence in the movies he stars in, and even successfully showed off his comedic chops in Spy. Throw in his action credentials, and he's a perfect fit for any number of superhero roles. Alas, he's not remotely interested.

"I can take my grandma and put her in a cape and they'll have stunt doubles come in and do all the action. Anybody can do that," he argues "They are relying on a green screen and a 200 million dollar budget. So to me, that is not authentic. I'm inspired by an old real star - guys that can really do their thing."

If the actor doesn't view the genre as having any authentic action movies, he'll probably never sign on for one.

8. David Cronenberg

David Cronenberg has never embraced blockbusters, though that's not overly surprising when he's helmed the likes of The Fly and Videodrome! With that in mind, the filmmaker saying superhero movies basically just boiled down to "Batman running around in a stupid cape" was to be expected.

"Christopher Nolan's best movie is Memento, and that is an interesting movie. I don't think his Batman movies are half as interesting, though they're 20 million times the expense," he said. "A superhero movie, by definition, you know, it's comic book. It's for kids. It's adolescent in its core."

While The Dark Knight Rises wasn't Nolan's best Batman movie, it seems a little harsh to say that, "people who are saying, you know, The Dark Knight Rises is supreme cinema art, I don't think they know what the f*** they're talking about."

So, yeah, don't bank on him helming The Fly Returns!

7. David Fincher

David Fincher shocked everyone by essentially walking away from the big screen experience to embrace the world of streaming (Mank hit Netflix last week). Of course, an argument could be made that he had no choice given how difficult it must be to make a movie like that in the current Hollywood system.

"Movies are about saving the world from destruction," the filmmaker said. "Many people at studios are still fighting the good fight. There are executives there who are friends of mine. But if you want to make studio movies, you stay in their lanes, which are romantic comedy, affliction Oscar bait, spandex summer, superhero tentpole, moderately budgeted sequel."

Despite clearly not being a fan of superheroes, Fincher's arguments are valid, and it's no wonder he's made that move to Netflix. However, we'd still love to see his take on a Marvel or DC character!

6. Rose McGowan

We weren't anticipating seeing outspoken actress Rose McGowan in a superhero movie any time soon, but back in 2015, the actress shared a surprise Instagram post slating the genre.

She claimed that "what’s wrong with superhero movies is that they lack complexity, story development, character development [and] freedom of thought." Despite starring in the likes of Conan the Barbarian and Machete, she feels that comic book adaptations are examples of "lazy and average male filmmaking."

Seemingly under the belief that superhero movies were the only options to her, McGowan added: "Where are the human stories? I don't want green goblins and tight outfits. I want intelligence, daring, work that drives society forward."

There are plenty of superhero movies that offer those things.

5. Tim Burton

Yes, the filmmaker responsible for bringing Batman to the big screen in 1989 is no longer a fan of the genre which arguably went a long way towards putting him on the map back in the day.

That classic film, and it's sequel Batman Returns, was a game-changer for the genre, and Burton even came close to directing a Superman movie starring Nicolas Cage. Now, though, it sounds like he's had more than enough of seeing caped crusaders and men of steel gracing the big screen.

"How many times can you say ‘you’re wearing a funny costume’ with the tights and stuff? That’s been going on for 20 years now," Burton asked during a recent interview. "Yes, we all know that superheroes are damaged individuals. Maybe we need to see a happy superhero?"

4. Francis Ford Coppola

We'll get to Martin Scorsese, but when that filmmaker decided to attack superhero movies, it wasn't long until his good friend Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather) was there to back him up.

"When Martin Scorsese says that the Marvel pictures are not cinema, he’s right because we expect to learn something from cinema, we expect to gain something, some enlightenment, some knowledge, some inspiration," he exclaimed shortly after Scorsese's controversial remarks.

"I don’t know that anyone gets anything out of seeing the same movie over and over again. Martin was kind when he said it’s not cinema. He didn’t say it’s despicable, which I just say it is."

How much do you want to bet that neither filmmaker has even watched more than one superhero movie? After all, to say they're all the same is just downright ridiculous.

3. Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster is an actor and filmmaker not all that different to Angelina Jolie (who we'll soon see take on a leading role in Eternals). She's never really been one for blockbusters, but it was still disappointing to hear her say that "going to the movies has become like a theme park."

"Studios making bad content in order to appeal to the masses and shareholders is like fracking -- you get the best return right now but you wreck the earth. It’s ruining the viewing habits of the American population and then ultimately the rest of the world." Foster would go on to say that making "$200 million movies about superheroes" has never been of interest to her.

As a result, we'll never get to see her follow a filmmaker like Patty Jenkins by bringing a female superhero to the big screen, and it's a real shame Foster looks down her nose at the genre.

2. Mel Gibson

For obvious reasons, anything that Mel Gibson says should probably be taken with a grain of salt, but the actor and director's comments about superhero movies have been particularly scathing.

Gibson turned down the role of Odin in the first Thor movie, and admits that, "I look at them and scratch my head. I'm really baffled by it." He would go on to admit that maybe he'd feel differently if he tried acting in front of a green screen, but believes too much money is being spent on them.

"If you're spending outrageous amounts of money, $180 million or more, I don't know how you make it back after the taxman gets you, and after you give half to the exhibitors. What did they spend on Batman V Superman that they're admitting to? And it's a piece of s**t."

There are some comic book fans out there who will probably agree with that point, but it's still a bit harsh!

1. Martin Scorsese

Despite once being attached to Joker (though it's since been claimed those reports were inaccurate), Martin Scorsese clearly has a very low opinion of comic book movies. The filmmaker came under fire for saying they're "not cinema," with everyone from James Gunn to the Russo Brothers coming forward to fight back against his argument that they're just "theme parks."

The Irishman filmmaker wasn't backing down, though, and later said, "The value of a film that’s like a theme park film, for example, the Marvel-type pictures, where the theatres become amusement parks, that’s a different experience. I was saying earlier, it’s not cinema, it’s something else."

It's unclear how many Marvel and DC movies Scorsese has actually watched, but the man doesn't seem to be very fond of them (to say the least), and it's clear that he will never view them as being on par with the type of stories he tells.

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65 Comments

1 2

capsicle - 12/8/2020, 12:06 AM

Page 1 Comment Here...

There's a problem with the article.

Se4M4NSt4ine - 12/8/2020, 12:08 AM

Damn Wilding, you ain’t even bothering to write anymore, just here for the clout

TH29 - 12/8/2020, 12:13 AM

What a horrible choice for an article on this site. Christ...

THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 12/8/2020, 12:20 AM

Good stuff.

DrSmoonk - 12/8/2020, 12:33 AM

yet another pointless ad revenue article. Used to be a time we could read these lists as a full page, but they worked out they can have more ads on separate pages. Also, lots of recent articles about news that broke ages ago on other sites. Getting behind the times. This site is losing me the same way SHH did.

MarvelousMarty - 12/8/2020, 12:35 AM

This article should have gone straight to HBO Max.

Urubrodi - 12/8/2020, 12:35 AM

Damn not even bothering to finish writing the click bait articles before posting...

bkmeijer2 - 12/8/2020, 12:44 AM

There is no article except for a banner image, which I think isn't representative at all

bkmeijer2 - 12/8/2020, 8:07 AM

That banner image really implies to me those people have a dislike for comic book movies (or maybe even blockbusters in general), but I guess I'm just getting baited here.

I actually understand these opinions though, but that doesn't mean I agree completely. For me these movies walk the fine line between entertaining whilst still offering depth for those caring enough to look for that depth.

solskulldeath - 12/8/2020, 8:08 AM

I always thought that Mel Gibson could be a fit as an older Joker. Just look at the picture...he really fits as the joker.

tmp3 - 12/8/2020, 8:10 AM

Man, who cares. I don't need Fincher or Scorsese to make capeshit, and it's just their opinion. I don't like fast food, but it's not like any of my friends who love fast food dislike me for that opinion. Not sure why some stranger whose work I like not liking a genre I like is important at all.

VileBlood - 12/8/2020, 8:13 AM

GhostDog - 12/8/2020, 8:18 AM

GhostDog - 12/8/2020, 8:21 AM

Coppola did watch a screening of Black Panther at the request of Coogler for critiques on certain scenes

SoBeKing - 12/8/2020, 9:05 AM

@BlackBeltJones - Coogler should've gotten his feedback on the final fight lol

tmp3 - 12/8/2020, 9:12 AM

@SobecKing - On VFX artists react, they said that the VFX crew behind the film only got that footage in late October because it was from last minute pick-ups, so it might have been a decision from someone higher up than Coogler

SoBeKing - 12/8/2020, 2:20 PM

@tmp3 - Damn that's too bad. Good to know. Thanks!

CWBNGAJEEPGUY85 - 12/8/2020, 8:25 AM

and in comes Mel Gibson with the shots fired!

I am surprised by Tim Burton's, Jason Statham, and Mel Gibson's comments, but the rest of these people are of nothing to me.

Rose McGowan? I mean really? that chick straight lost. her. mind. And she was attached to Red Sonja for YEARS!

Jodie Foster? there's not a character, let alone comic book character that I'd ever want to see her portray. she's better off as background noise.

Personal opinions of course*

MrCamw1 - 12/8/2020, 8:27 AM

Off topic since I want no part of this....di you guys not Netflix update their premium price to $17.99???

Tpo81 - 12/8/2020, 8:28 AM

Wasn’t Statham campaigning to be daredevil not too long ago

inkniron - 12/8/2020, 9:02 AM

@Tpo81 - I think he was rumored to be Bullseye, but I always doubted them. He's always had a distain for CBM. I came here just to see if he made the cut. I wasn't disappointed.

Tpo81 - 12/8/2020, 11:00 AM

@inkniron - I’m actually talking about before the show.He actually said he’d love to be daredevil and frank miller agreed with him.More than a couple years ago though.2008 I guess

Tpo81 - 12/8/2020, 11:03 AM

@inkniron - https://www.firstshowing.net/2008/jason-statham-wants-to-play-daredevil-frank-miller-agrees/

1 2

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10 Actors And Directors Who HATE Comic Book Movies (And Why)

Superhero movies have mostly taken the year off, but the genre remains as popular as ever. When it comes to these actors and filmmakers, however, their hatred of the comic book adaptation is...intense!

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9. Jason Statham

8. David Cronenberg

7. David Fincher

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1. Martin Scorsese

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