Given the unprecedented popularity of superhero movies in recent years, it’s not unusual for a respected filmmaker such as Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, Denis Villenueve and even The Dark Knight trilogy helmer Christopher Nolan to pop up with some comments bemoaning the negative impact of said films on the movie industry. But, it seems, they’re just letting anyone at it these days.
Speaking to Den of Geek to promote the release of his latest movie Moonfall, director Roland Emmerich has joined the chorus of criticism, stating that: “Because naturally, Marvel and DC Comics and Star Wars have pretty much taken over. It’s ruining our industry a little bit, because nobody does anything original anymore.”
Emmerich went on to add that: “You should make bold new movies, you know? And I think, actually, Christopher Nolan is the master of that. He is someone who can make movies about whatever he wants. I have it a little bit harder, but I still have a big enough name — especially when it’s a disaster or has some sort of disaster theme.”
Regardless of whether the criticism is warranted or not, there’s certainly an element of the pot calling the kettle black here, given that Emmerich has destroyed more worlds than Galactus with his numerous disaster flicks and is himself a pivotal figure with regards to blockbuster cinema’s reliance on ever-more impressive CGI-heavy spectacle. He may have strayed from his Earth-threatening formula on a few occasions over the years, but he probably ought to leave the flag-bearing to someone else on this one.
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