Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi disagrees with Martin Scorsese's Marvel comments: 'Of course it's cinema'
He isn't bowled over by director's views
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
Taika Waititi has combatted Martin Scorsese’s criticism of Marvel movies, after the director claimed they were “not cinema”.
Waititi – who directed Thor: Ragnarok – told Associated Press ahead of the release of his new film Jojo Rabbit: “Of course it’s cinema! It’s at the movies.”
To emphasise his point, he highlighted the word “cinema” in Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Scorsese sparked controversy after comparing Marvel films to theme park rides. In an interview with Empire Magazine published last month, Scorsese said that he had “tried” to watch movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that they are “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,” he said. “It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”
While MCU stars including Samuel L Jackson and Guardians of the Galaxy James Gunn defended the blockbusters, Scorsese found an unlikely ally in Jennifer Aniston.
“You’re seeing what’s available out there and it’s just diminishing and diminishing in terms of, it’s big Marvel movies,” Aniston told Variety.
Waititi will next direct Thor: Love and Thunder, which will re-introduce Natalie Portman as a female version of the hammer-wielding superhero.
Find a ranking of every Avengers character here.
Scorsese’s next film, gangster epic The Irishman, will be available to stream on Netflix from 30 November.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments