The war between older directors and theMarvel Cinematic Universerages on, withBraziland Monty Python alumnus Terry Gilliam adding his name to the ever-growing list of filmmakers who have absolutely no chill when it comes to comic book movies.
Clearly no one is taking a break for the festive season when it comes to debating the merits of Marvel, asTerry Gilliamjoins the likes of Scorsese and Coppola by stating his dislike for the billion dollar franchise, suggesting that Marvel does a poor job of accurately depicting the human condition.
“If you are that powerful, you should be dealing with reality a bit more. What I don’t like is that we all have to be superheroes to do anything worthwhile. That’s what makes me crazy. That’s what these movies are saying to young people. And to me it’s not confronting the reality of, you know, the quote-unquote human condition. You know what it is like to be a normal human being in difficult situations and resolving them surviving. I can’t fault them for the sheer spectacle, except it’s repetitive. You still have to blow up another city.”
At least he appreciates the spectacle. Apart from that it does not sound like Gilliam has much love for the MCU at all, believing that they do not confront the reality of ordinary folk nearly enough. This ties in withMartin Scorsese’s anti-Marvel rant. Though his comments on the franchise in general are quite restrained, his language becomes rather more vicious when discussing one Marvel film in particular.
“I hatedBlack Panther. It makes me crazy. It gives young black kids the idea that this is something to believe in. Bullshit. It’s utter bullshit.”
So, maybe don’t buy GilliamBlack Pantheron Blu Ray this Christmas. He does not stop there though, doubling down on his hatred of the movie, calling out the media for making the movie’s importance such a talking point.
“I think the people who made it have never been to Africa. They went and got some stylist for some African pattern fabrics and things. But I just I hated that movie, partly because the media were going on about the importance of bullshit.”
Ouch. Despite Gilliam’s utter loathing of the movie,Black Pantherraked in a whopping $1.3 billion worldwide, stands as one ofMarvel’s most critically-acclaimed movieswith a very fresh 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and was even nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards. In light of such success a sequel is scheduled for release in 2022, but no doubt Gilliam will be giving this one a hard pass.
Sadly for Gilliam Marvel Studios is going from strength to strength with multiple upcoming projects on the horizon alongside theBlack Panthersequel, includingBlack Widowon August 13, 2025,The Falcon and The Winter Soldierin Fall 2020,The Eternalson June 13, 2025,Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringson July 06, 2025,WandaVisionin Spring 2021,Lokiin Spring 2021,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesson August 14, 2025,Spider-Man 3on June 30, 2025,What If…?in Summer 2021,Hawkeyein Fall 2021, andThor: Love and Thunderon June 21, 2025. Marvel Studios Disney+ series without release dates includeMs. Marvel,Moon Knight, andShe-Hulk. Surely Gilliam will enjoy something. This comes fromIndie Wire.
