Believe it or not, it’s already been more than a month since Martin Scorsese ignited a social media firestorm when he said Marvel films are “not cinema” and are just “theme park rides.” In the weeks since, we’ve heard from just about everyone relevant to the story chiming in and either taking Scorsese’s side or defending the superhero film genre. And that includes the CEO of Disney, Bob Iger. However, in a new interview, he opens up more about the comments and explains why he respects Scorsese but thinks the filmmaker is totally off base in his critique.
While speaking to BBC Radio’s “The Media Show,” Iger was once again confronted with the comments made by Scorsese. And after hearing the part where the filmmaker said, “[Marvel isn’t] the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being,” the executive said, “Ouch!”
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He continued by complimenting Scorsese, calling him a “great filmmaker” and a “phenomenal filmmaker.” Iger even went so far as to say that he admires Scorsese “immensely.”
But that doesn’t mean he agrees with the filmmaker.
“First of all, Marvel’s making movies,” said Iger. “They’re movies. That’s what Martin Scorsese makes. And they’re good movies, with good directors and good writers and good actors and good cinematographers and good costume designers and good sound engineers and good editors.”
He added, “These are talented, talented people that are putting their hard work and talent into making films that entertain people in theaters around the world.”
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When the Disney boss was asked about Scorsese’s critique of the creative value of the films, Iger responded, “I don’t think he’s ever seen a Marvel film… Anyone that’s seen a Marvel film could not in all truth make that statement.”
He concluded by saying that he’d love to have a glass of wine with the filmmaker and discuss it further. We’ll have to see if anything comes of that offer in the future, but as of now, it appears that Iger and Scorsese are at a bit of an impasse.
