Iger Defends Marvel...with choice words

[Spongeocto4]

Recently, several high profile film directors, like Martin Scorsese and Frances Ford Coppola, have criticized Marvel Movies for NOT being 'cinema'. The movies were referred to as "Theme Parks" and "Despicable". And apparently it rubbed Bob Iger, the wrong way.

At an event hosted by Wall Street Journal, Iger voiced his (not-so-family-friendly) opinion:

“I reserve the word ‘despicable’ for someone who committed mass murder,” said Mr. Iger, speaking at the WSJ Tech Live conference in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Tuesday. “These are movies.”

“They want to b-tch about movies, it’s certainly their right,” Mr. Iger added, saying he’d gladly put those directors’ movies up against features directed for Marvel by Taika Waititi and Ryan Coogler.

And yes, he actually used the term.

[Mr Wiggins]

Wow. Bob loses his cool.

Hm. When did we see that sort of language from a Disney CEO before... and what did it foreshadow?

[J. Thaddeus Toad]

Time to retire, Bob.

[SkippyXS]

Here's what Scorsese actually said about Marvel:

"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."

Does that sound, as Iger put it, bitching? I'm sad that Iger resorted to a straw man fallacy by lumping Scorsese's fair comments with Coppola's harsh attacks. It's an extraordinarily shameful way to deal with someone like Martin Scorsese.
Iger championing Ryan Coogler's work on black panther has nothing to do with filmmaking and everything to do with a political appeal to social justice.
Really disappointed, I like Iger's biography, and he's done great work as a CEO (parks not included) - sad to see this.

[Mr Wiggins]

Here's what Scorsese actually said about Marvel:


"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."


Does that sound, as Iger put it, bitching? I'm sad that Iger resorted to a straw man fallacy by lumping Scorsese's fair comments with Coppola's harsh attacks. It's an extraordinarily shameful way to deal with someone like Martin Scorsese.
Iger championing Ryan Coogler's work on black panther has nothing to do with filmmaking and everything to do with a political appeal to social justice.
Really disappointed, I like Iger's biography, and he's done great work as a CEO (parks not included) - sad to see this.

Indeed. The pettiness of it is unlike Iger, and much like Eisner in his last year.

[Spongeocto4]

Here's what Scorsese actually said about Marvel:


Does that sound, as Iger put it, bitching? I'm sad that Iger resorted to a straw man fallacy by lumping Scorsese's fair comments with Coppola's harsh attacks. It's an extraordinarily shameful way to deal with someone like Martin Scorsese.

While Scorsese's remarks aren't as bad as Coppola's, he still called the MCU movies as 'not cinema'. Being called 'not cinema' can be viewed as an insult in today's time.

This could be viewed in the same vein of Spielberg's recent criticism of online originated streaming movies (which is ironic, as Scorsese is releasing an exclusive film on Netflix). These directors may be making simple remarks. But, in reality, they're criticizing the current state of Cinema.

[Spongeocto4]

Martin Scorsese has written an essay about his comments in New York Times. In it he clarifies and defends his comments. Of his comments:

"...Some people seem to have seized on the last part of my answer as insulting, or as evidence of hatred for Marvel on my part."
...
Many franchise films are made by people of considerable talent and artistry. You can see it on the screen. The fact that the films themselves don’t interest me is a matter of personal taste and temperament. "

"Many of the elements that define cinema as I know it are there in Marvel pictures. What’s not there is revelation, mystery or genuine emotional danger. Nothing is at risk. The pictures are made to satisfy a specific set of demands, and they are designed as variations on a finite number of themes.

They are sequels in name but they are remakes in spirit, and everything in them is officially sanctioned because it can’t really be any other way. That’s the nature of modern film franchises: market-researched, audience-tested, vetted, modified, revetted and remodified until they’re ready for consumption."

"So, you might ask, what’s my problem? Why not just let superhero films and other franchise films be? The reason is simple. In many places around this country and around the world, franchise films are now your primary choice if you want to see something on the big screen. It’s a perilous time in film exhibition, and there are fewer independent theaters than ever..."

[Mr Wiggins]

"Many of the elements that define cinema as I know it are there in Marvel pictures. What’s not there is revelation, mystery or genuine emotional danger. Nothing is at risk. The pictures are made to satisfy a specific set of demands, and they are designed as variations on a finite number of themes.

They are sequels in name but they are remakes in spirit, and everything in them is officially sanctioned because it can’t really be any other way. That’s the nature of modern film franchises: market-researched, audience-tested, vetted, modified, revetted and remodified until they’re ready for consumption."

Spot on!