- StyleThe Wrap
Bob Iger Compares ‘Black Panther’ to Scorsese and Coppola Films in Defense of Marvel Movies
Disney CEO Bob Iger was the latest to leap to the defense of Marvel movies in the recent civil war among filmmakers over the blockbusters, pointing to Ryan Coogler’s Best Picture-nominated “Black Panther” as worthy as being called “cinema” as any film Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola have made.Iger got heated on the subject as part of the WSJ Tech Live event Tuesday night after both Scorsese, Coppola and a handful of other auteur filmmakers have criticized the movies, with Coppola most recently calling the films “despicable.”“I’m puzzled by it. If they want to bitch about movies it’s certainly their right. It seems so disrespectful to all the people who work on those films who are working just as hard as the people who are working on their films and are putting their creative souls on the line just like they are,” Iger said of filmmakers’ comments. “Are you telling me that Ryan Coogler making ‘Black Panther’ is doing something that somehow or another is less than anything Marty Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola have ever done on any one of their movies? Come on.”Also Read: Jon Favreau on Scorsese and Coppola's Marvel Criticism: 'They Can Express Whatever Opinion They Like'Iger says he holds Coppola and Scorsese in “the highest regard,” but he took issue with Coppola’s characterization of the films as “despicable,” and that he’d only reserve that word “for someone who had committed mass murder.”“When Francis uses the words ‘those films are despicable,’ to whom is he talking? Is he talking to Kevin Feige who runs Marvel, or Taika Waititi who directs or Ryan Coogler who directs for us or Scarlett Johansson,” Iger said. “I don’t get what they’re criticizing us for when we’re making films that people are obviously enjoying going to because they’re doing so by the millions.”Scorsese recently doubled down on his comments when he said that Marvel movies were not cinema and compared them to “theme parks.” He ultimately said that Marvel’s films were “invading” movie theaters and replacing what young people’s idea of cinema is, even driving out smaller films and more human stories from the popular culture.Also Read: After Coppola Slam, James Gunn Defends Marvel Movies as Cinema (Again)Ken Loach, the British director behind “Kes” and the recent “Sorry We Missed You,” more specifically attacked the commercialism of Marvel films rather than their content specifically.“They’re made as commodities like hamburgers, and it’s not about communicating, and it’s not about sharing our imagination,” Loach told Sky News. “It’s about making a commodity which will make a profit for a big corporation – they’re a cynical exercise. They’re a market exercise, and it has nothing to do with the art of cinema. William Blake said, ‘When money is discussed, art is impossible.'”Iger however had a response for that as well, saying that there’s a mutual benefit in the success of the Marvel films and other blockbusters that allows movie theaters to exhibit movies that otherwise wouldn’t be as financially successful.Check out Iger’s full comments via WSJ.Read original story Bob Iger Compares ‘Black Panther’ to Scorsese and Coppola Films in Defense of Marvel Movies At TheWrap
- StyleKevin Polowy
Taika Waititi has finished 'Thor 4' script, says Thor's weight remains 'ongoing discussion' with Marvel
To beer belly or not to beer belly, that is the question.
- StyleHanna Flint
Taika Waititi confirms his character Korg will appear in 'Thor: Love and Thunder'
Your favourite Koran is back in business.
- StyleBen Arnold
Taika Waititi says that 'Thor 4' could feature Jane Foster breast cancer storyline
Taika Waititi has said that there could be scope for including a plot line about Jane Foster battling breast cancer in Thor 4.
- StyleHanna Flint
Christopher Eccleston would return to the MCU if Taika Waititi wrote his comeback
The actor was the main antagonist in Thor: The Dark World.
- StyleGregory Wakeman
Ryan Reynolds and Taika Waititi poke fun at ‘Green Lantern’ in ‘Free Guy’ clip
Ryan Reynolds once again pokes fun at Green Lantern, but this time with his former co-star Taika Waititi.
- StyleEntertainment Tonight
Natalie Portman Talks Returning to Marvel for 'Thor: Love and Thunder' (Exclusive)
The actress opened up to ET about rejoining the MCU to reprise her role in the next 'Thor' film.
- StyleGregory Wakeman
Michael Fassbender joins Taika Waititi’s football film 'Next Goal Wins'
Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender has joined Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins.
- StyleHanna Flint
Scarlett Johansson hides a Jewish girl from Nazis in the full 'Jojo Rabbit' trailer
The film is the latest from Taika Waititi.
- StyleGreer McNally
Jeff Goldblum teases return to Marvel universe
The 66-year-old actor suggested his character might be back in 'Love & Thunder'.
- StyleTom Beasley
Taika Waititi dismisses claims the 'Thor: Love and Thunder' script is already done
The director said he still has a long way to go before 'Thor 4' is ready to go in front of cameras.
- StyleSam Ashurst
Will 'Thor 4' introduce this classic comic character to the MCU?
He almost appeared in 'Ragnarok.'
- StyleTom Beasley
'Akira' creator to produce new anime series adaptation
The 1988 classic animation from Katsuhiro Otomo is considered a milestone of the cyberpunk genre.
- StyleBen Arnold
Taika Waititi drafted in to try and make 'Flash Gordon' animated movie
Flash Gordon hasn't been seen on the big screen since Brian Blessed incredulously bellowed 'Gordon's alive?!' back in 1980.
- StyleHanna Flint
Paul Rudd, Michael Peña, Taika Waititi team up for Pepsi MAX ad, but Rudd wants Peyton Reed for 'Ant-Man 3'
The actor spoke to Yahoo Movies UK to coincide with his appearance in a new Pepsi commercial.
- StyleBen Arnold
Taika Waititi wants to make racists very angry with Nazi satire movie Jojo Rabbit
Taika Waititi, the Kiwi director behind Thor: Ragnarok, is about to set cameras rolling on his latest project, an anti-war satire called Jojo Rabbit.
StyleTom ButlerTaika Waititi on Hunt For The Wilderpeople and retaining his voice on Thor: Ragnarok
New Zealand director Taika Waititi is currently two-thirds of the way through making ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ the biggest film of his career so far, but even that huge Marvel behemoth may struggle to surpass his current film ‘Hunt For The Wilderpeople’ at the New Zealand box office, where’s its recently become the biggest ever homegrown hit in Kiwi box office history.
