Culture news “Thank God” Christopher Nolan doesn’t like Marvel films, but he must give them credit for this quality
There are many renowned directors who have fallen head over heels for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the superheroic frenzy that has gripped Hollywood for 15 years. Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, but also Christopher Nolan made their murderous comments. However, the British filmmaker, just crowned by the success of Oppenheimer, has just put a little water in his wine.
The end of the superhero era
Christopher Nolan is not calling for the death of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or any other cinematic universe. He readily salutes the success that Avengers: Endgame was upon its cinema release in 2019 and the impact of the MCU on popular culture. Nevertheless, he fully appreciates the reception received by his film Oppenheimer which narrowly missed the symbolic milestone of one billion US dollars collected at the international box office.
I think Oppenheimer’s success hints at a sort of post-franchise, post-intellectual property cinematic landscape – that’s quite encouraging. -Christopher Nolan
The recent failures of The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Shazam! Rage of the Gods, Blue Beetle, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, but especially The Flash demonstrate the genre’s running out of steam. The general public’s weariness with these sprawling and interconnected cinematographic productions is evident. The announced critical and commercial failure of Madame Web could be the straw that broke the camel’s back. The superheroic era is (probably) coming to an end.
Christopher Nolan thanks Marvel
During a interview alongside Robert Downey Jr. granted to our colleagues at the New York Times February 11, 2024, Christopher Nolan did not fail to recall the preponderant role that the Marvel Cinematic Universe played in the survival of Hollywood after the Covid-19 pandemic. For the British filmmaker, the MCU films allowed the entire film industry to resist as best they could during a difficult period never envisaged and even less experienced by the 7th Art until 2020.
Coming out of COVID, you say, “Thank God for Marvel movies.” –
This is not the first time that the director of the Dark Knight trilogy with Christian Bale in the title role has defended the Avengers. Christopher Nolan is well aware that these blockbusters are essential. According to him, these projects worth 100 or even 200 million dollars ensure “a balance in Hollywood. Established titles that can ensure audience returns, and give people what they want, that’s always been a big part of the Hollywood economy.” Unfortunately, all studios seem to have the watchword in 2023-2024 to focus exclusively on established and/or successful franchises.