While the cinema has extended into several interesting branches with one being the superhero genre, not everyone is happy with the same. Given that it has dominated the majority of the film and TV market, many can understand that real cinema is slowly receding its value. While filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino have expressed their concern about the same, Jason Statham made his stance clear that he is not impressed by the genre at all.
The English actor needs no introduction as he gained recognition for playing tough, gritty, or violent characters in action-thriller movies. Back in 2015, he expressed his opinion on the superhero genre that has acquired massive fandom.
Jason Statham’s Stance on the Superhero Genre
Back in a 2015 interview with The Guardian, Jason Statham expressed his thoughts firmly about having no interest in the superhero genre. He went on to state that they don’t do anything which is something that he can’t feel excited about.
“You slip on a cape and you put on the tights and you become a superhero? They’re not doing anything! They’re just sitting in their trailer. It’s absolutely, 100% created by stunt doubles and green screen. How can I get excited about that?”
Even in a recent Variety interview, he clarified his intention of not having a “big appetite” for the superhero genre.
“I don’t have a big appetite for a costume, with cape and tights,” he said with a laugh. “I like old school 80s movies. I was inspired by people like Stallone and Arnold. And even before those guys, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and Eastwood. I just couldn’t see any of those guys putting on a cape, and a mask and going around on wires.”
Since the superhero genre began to bloom in the market, rumors about Statham being suggested for several roles surfaced. However, his firm decision makes one thing clear he would unlikely enter into the MCU, DCU, or any other superhero realm.
However, he is not the only one to have such intrinsic thoughts about the superhero world as influential filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino also align with him on almost a similar page.
Like Jason Statham, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino Have issues with the Superhero Genre
“Because there are going to be generations now that think [superhero] movies are only those—that’s what movies are. They already think that. Which means that we have to then fight back stronger.”
He went on to add, “I do think that the manufactured content isn’t really cinema.”
Meanwhile, Tarantino pointed out how these superhero movies are overshadowing the small-budget movies that are unable to get the same hype.
While he loved the genre, he clarified his intention stating that they “wouldn’t be the only movies being made. They would be those movies amongst other movies.”
In an appearance on the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast, he shared,
“My only axe to grind against them is they’re the only things that seem to be made. And they’re the only things that seem to generate any kind of excitement amongst a fan base or even for the studio making them. That’s what they’re excited about. And so it’s just the fact that they are the entire representation of this era of movies right now. There’s not really much room for anything else. That’s my problem.”
Several personalities voiced similar concerns about the dominance of superhero movies in the market which leaves the least space to look at other movies.
