Home Movie News Eternals Star Kumail Nanjiani Defends Martin Scorsese’s ‘Right’ to Criticize Marvel Movies

While he doesn’t have to agree, Nanjiani says Scorse has “earned the right to have an opinion” on what is cinema and what isn’t.

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Marvel fans are still talking about when famed director Martin Scorsese sounded off on Marvel films, going viral with his opinion that these kinds of superhero movies should not be considered “cinema.” Since making those comments, many Hollywood stars have reacted with some actors from superhero movies defending these films and their fans. Meanwhile, others have backed up Scorsese, and that includes fellow director Quentin Tarantino sharing his thoughts that Marvel actors are not genuine movie stars.

In a new interview with Esquire, Eternals actor Kumail Nanjiani was asked about Hollywood stars like Scorses and Tarantino criticizing Marvel movies. For his part, Nanjiani does not take offense, even as someone who starred in a Marvel film in 2021. He clarifies that he doesn’t share the same opinion as Scorsese on Marvel movies, but at the same time, he says the acclaimed director has earned the right to share his thoughts on what is cinema and what isn’t based on his impressive accolades in film. Nanjiani also doesn’t seem to understand why so many Marvel fans have been bothered by the comments.

“I obviously love the movies Tarantino makes or Scorsese makes, and I may disagree with Scorsese’s opinion on superhero movies, but I mean, who else has earned the right to have an opinion? If Scorsese hasn’t earned the right to have an opinion on movies, then none of us should have an opinion on movies. It’s so strange that people get upset about it.”

Related: 8 Movies You Probably Didn’t Know Martin Scorsese Starred In

Scorsese and Tarantino Aren’t Marvel Fans

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It was back in 2019 when Scorsese first ruffled feathers by lambasting Marvel films. In an Empire magazine interview, Scorsese was asked about Marvel superhero movies, and he explained that he has trouble watching them as they aren’t in line with his vision of what he considers to be true “cinema.” As he said at the time:

“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.”

More recently, Tarantino came into the fray with his thoughts on Marvel films in an interview on Tom Segura’s podcast. For his part, the Pulp Fiction director feels that Hollywood had been overtaken by Marvel to the point where fictional superheroes are now Hollywood’s biggest stars, more so than actual actors like how they used to be. Tarantino said:

“Part of the Marvel-ization of Hollywood is… you have all these actors who have become famous playing these characters, but they’re not movie stars. Right? Captain America is the star. Or Thor is the star. I mean, I’m not the first person to say that. I think that’s been said a zillion times, you know, but it’s like, you know, it’s these franchise characters that become a star.”

Not everyone may be a fan, but with how much money Marvel movies continue to make, they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.