Former Marvel Actor Throws Shade At Superhero Movies

Former Marvel Actor Throws Shade At Superhero Movies

Key Takeaways

  • Former Marvel star criticizes superhero genre for being diluted by numerous projects, leading to loss of plot and diminishing spectacle.
  • Actor Brian Cox calls out the industry, noting the success of Deadpool & Wolverine while pointing out the oversaturation of comic book adaptations.
  • While recognizing the impact of exceptions like Deadpool & Wolverine, the focus remains on how the superhero genre can continue to evolve and improve.

As a lifelong fan who has witnessed the evolution of superhero films, I wholeheartedly agree with Brian Cox’s insightful remarks. Having been part of the X-Men franchise myself, I’ve seen firsthand how the genre has grown and transformed over the years.


Although many people criticize the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the views expressed by a previous Marvel actor regarding its impact on the entire film industry are more challenging to dismiss as unrelated.

The Marvel Cinema Universe stands as the dominant figure in traditional superhero storytelling, with teams like the Avengers and their associates embodying concepts that series such as Invincible and The Boys have gained popularity for flipping on their heads. Although Marvel has had its ups and downs, it has consistently been a financial powerhouse and garnered more fan interest and goodwill than its rivals. In contrast, DC Studios is undergoing significant restructuring and preparing to reboot its entire franchise, while Marvel Studios has recently soared to new heights of success with the smashing hits Deadpool and Wolverine, which have proven themselves among the top-performing R-rated films ever made.

The box office success of Deadpool and Wolverine provided Marvel Studios with a significant victory, but it’s unlikely these films will significantly impact the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This is the viewpoint of a former Marvel star, who recently expressed critical opinions about the genre in an interview with Variety. Veteran actor Brian Cox criticized the current state of popular media, stating that television has taken over what cinema once did. According to Cox, cinema is struggling due to the dominance of franchises like Marvel and DC. He believes that the genre is on the verge of collapse because it’s losing its originality, as there are too many projects, even though they generate immense profits. Using the success of Deadpool and Wolverine as an example, Cox argued that the genre has become watered down due to excessive production.

Essentially, it seems like these particular performers are having their moment to shine by taking on such roles. For instance, Hugh Jackman has shown he’s capable of more, but Ryan Reynolds follows suit, and it pays off at the box office – big time. It’s hard to criticize when they’re making a lot of money like this.

In the second movie of Fox’s X-Men trilogy, which has been re-released in a 4k Steelbook version, Cox portrayed William Stryker. This character is known for creating the adamantium-coated Wolverine through the notorious Weapon X program. After discussing the latest appearance of this character, Cox humorously commented, “Deadpool encounters…Wolverine, who I created but can’t remember. In truth, when those films air, there’s always a part of me [as Stryker], and they never give me any royalties.”

It appears that Tom Cox (not sure if this is correct) doesn’t seem overly critical of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and might continue to engage with its projects in some way. This sentiment aligns with those of many long-term MCU fans and critics, who have been expressing concerns about improving aspects within the franchise.

Deadpool and Wolverine’s comments about leaving the Fox universe being necessary don’t imply that there isn’t valuable insight to glean from that era. Although Ryan Reynolds had a limited but crucial part in it, his perspective on the current situation should not be disregarded without considering how it could improve the franchise and the entertainment industry at large.

All of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is available for streaming on Disney+.

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2024-08-23 22:26