Denis Villeneuve has been grabbing headlines this week for criticising Marvel, stating that “there are too many Marvel movies, that are nothing more than a cut and paste of others”, but it seems he isn’t entirely without praise for the studio – specifically when it comes to hiring one of the most well-regarded directors working today.
In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Villeneuve sat down with fellow filmmaker Chloe Zhao. During their conversation, the Dune director offered some high praise for Marvel while also saying Zhao provides something different for the brand.
“I think it’s genius that Marvel approached you because you’re the radical opposite of it aesthetically,” said Villeneuve. “When I saw The Rider for the first time, I was blown away. I wrote a note to you—an artistic love letter. What touched me was your insane skill to be able to approach life. Life is so afraid of the camera. When I saw The Rider, I cried because I was like, ‘She did it. She was able to go in that zone that I thought was not possible.’ I wonder how you can invite life in a Marvel movie.”
These comments follow hot on the heels of another interview with Villeneuve where he wasn’t so kind regarding Marvel Studios. He feels like Zhao can bring something different to the MCU, and he feels like it’s often all a bit too similar.
“The problem today… Well, if we’re talking about Marvel, the thing is, all these films are made from the same mold,” Villeneuve told French outlet Premiere. “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.”
It seems like Denis Villeneuve wants more original or boundary-pushing films, like his upcoming adaptation of Dune, which follows his sequel to Blade Runner 2049. What are your thoughts on his comments? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
Dune is directed by Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) and sees Timothee Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name) leading the cast alongside Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible – Fallout), Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Dave Bautista (Avengers: Infinity War), Stellan Skarsgard (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), Charlotte Rampling (Red Sparrow), Zendaya (Spider-Man: Far From Home), Javier Bardem (Loving Pablo), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Fences), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Sex Education), and Chang Chen (The Assassin).
Dune is set for release on October 22nd.