Jane Campion now joins Ridley Scott, Denis Villeneuve and Martin Scorcese in hating and / or refusing to direct superhero films.

That is certainly their prerogative but why is anyone even asking the question?

A common theme among critic reviews for Eternals is "Chloé Zhao is great. Marvel is boring." We're paraphrasing slightly but consider the Washington Post review title.

‘Eternals’ has too much Marvel, not enough Chloé Zhao

We have seen this claim repeated a lot lately in the face of Eternals' typically strong box office performance but lower than typical critic scores.

Is the entertainment media gunning for Marvel?

Let's consider what these directors said.

Martin Scorcese, back in 2019:

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.

Possibly this criticism could be true of the earlier Thor films. As an alien prince of god-like stature and power, he's easily the least relatable of the MCU bunch and his films weren't boring but they were distant.

Taika Waititi's humour and the introduction of another Asgardian to balance and bring Thor down to Earth was the perfect salve.

Otherwise, no.

Denis Villeneuve in September this year:

There are too many Marvel movies that are nothing more than a cut and paste of others.

The problem today… well, if we’re talking about Marvel, the thing is, all these films are made from the same mold. Some filmmakers can add a little color to it, but they’re all cast in the same factory. It doesn’t take anything away from the movies, but they are formatted.

There is a formula but it hasn't lost its sparkle. It's still drawing in huge crowds and making Disney rich.

Some of the films, eg. Infinity War and Endgame, included story elements which just don't work. For example, with the imminent prospect of half of all life in the galaxy being wiped out, two our of heroes couldn't kill their partner to prevent Thanos from acquiring an infinity stone.

Both partners were willing to die.

Exiting Marvel briefly, look at Another Life. The main character locked her lover on the other side of an airlock to save just a couple of dozen people. Not half the universe.

That was her job. She did it.

Our Marvel heroes apparently can't match her. Wanda did eventually but too late. Starlord couldn't at all and also couldn't keep his cool when Mantis had Thanos safely asleep and others were removing his gauntlet. Because love.

And after detailing at length how time travel splits off into multiverse this and multiverse that rather than a single timeline, Captain America goes back in time and old him is there waiting to hand over his shield to Falcon, within the same timeline.

Facepalm.

Ridley Scott on November 12:

DEADLINE: Your main gripe about superhero movies?

SCOTT: Their scripts are not any fucking good. I think I’ve done three great scripted superhero movies. One would be Alien with Sigourney Weaver. One would be fucking Gladiator, and one would be Harrison Ford…

DEADLINE: Blade Runner…

SCOTT: They’re superhero movies. So, why don’t the superhero movies have better stories? Sorry. I got off the rail, but I mean, c’mon. They’re mostly saved by special effects, and that’s becoming boring for everyone who works with special effects, if you’ve got the money.

Facepalm.

Jane Campion, on superhero movies and the prospect of directing one on November 17:

I hate them. I actually hate them.

I think it’s safe to say that I will never do that. They’re so noisy and like ridiculous. Sometimes you get a good giggle, but I don’t know what the thing is with the capes, a grown man in tights. I feel like it must come from pantomime.

Well there's no arguing with that.

How about Chloé Zhao?

She tells us that she was a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and comics and approached them for a directing gig.

Chloé also disputed claims that directors aren't involved in action scenes.

Seems to be firmly team Marvel and happy in the world of superheroes.

[ Main Image: Thor: Ragnarok. Credit: Marvel via IMDb.com. ]

References

Arthur, Kate (April 28 ,2021). Chloé Zhao on Making Oscars History and How She Stayed True to Herself Directing Marvel’s ‘Eternals’. Variety.

Baxter, Joseph (September 16, 2021). Denis Villeneuve Calls the MCU ‘Cut and Paste’ Movies. Den of Geek.

Fleming, Mike Jr (November 12, 2021). Ridley Scott Won’t Let Age Or Pandemic Slow A Storytelling Appetite That Brought ‘House of Gucci’ & ‘The Last Duel;’ Napoleon & More ‘Gladiator’ Up Next. Deadline.

Hornaday, Ann (November 2, 2021). ‘Eternals’ has too much Marvel, not enough Chloé Zhao. Washington Post.

Kohn, Eric (October 26, 2021). ‘Eternals’: Chloé Zhao Disputes Claim That Marvel Directors Don’t Have a Say in Action Scenes. IndieWire.

Lattanzio, Ryan (November 4, 2019) Martin Scorsese Defends Marvel Comments in New York Times Op-Ed: These Films Have No Mystery or Risk. IndieWire.

Malkin, Mark (November 17, 2021). Jane Campion Will Never Direct a Superhero Movie: ‘I Hate Them’ (EXCLUSIVE). Variety.