Disney CEO Bob Iger Says He Doubts Martin Scorsese Has Ever Even Seen a Marvel Movie

By Bernadette Roe | Nov 05 2019

Martin Scorsese caused some serious waves after explaining in an interview last month that he believed Marvel movies weren't considered cinema.

If you missed it, the legendary filmmaker told Empire of Marvel films while promoting his latest movie The Irishman:

“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.”

Of course, many actors and filmmakers behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe jumped to the studio's defense, and now even the CEO of Disney is weighing in. According to ScreenRant, Bob Iger countered Scorsese's comments in an interview with the BBC by saying, "I don’t think he’s ever seen a Marvel film. Anyone who has seen a Marvel movie could not in all truth make that statement."

Iger added, "They are good movies, good directors and good writers and good actors, good cinematographers, and good costume designers, and good sound engineers, and good editors."

Robert Downey Jr., who played Iron Man in the MCU, was one of the many to react to Scorsese's thoughts. During an interview with Howard Stern, the Academy Award nominated actor shared, "I appreciate his opinion because I think it's like anything. We need all of the different perspectives so we can come to center and move on."

While Downey is appreciative of Scorsese's opposing perspective, Iger still seems adamant with his defense. At the end of the day, however, if money talks, then Marvel is doing just fine holding its own in the world of cinema, no matter what any great filmmaker thinks.