Tarantino says directors ‘can’t wait’ to see back of superhero movies
Quentin Tarantino says directors ‘can’t wait’ to see back of superhero movies and claims only ‘hired hands’ work on them – but warns ‘writings not on the wall yet’ for when they’ll disappear
- Oscar-winning director said superhero movies have a ‘chokehold’ on Hollywood
- But the 59-year-old thinks it will be some time before their popularity dwindles
- His comments come after similar remarks by Hollywood legend Martin Scorcese
- Tarantino also said that ‘you have to be a hired hand’ to direct superhero movies
Quentin Tarantino has said film directors ‘can’t wait’ for the hype around superhero movies to die off.
The Oscar-winning director, 59, said blockbusters from the likes of Marvel and DC have a ‘chokehold’ over Hollywood.
In his new book, Cinema Speculation, Tarantino says current directors ‘can’t wait for the day’ the genre’s popularity declines – and likens current superhero mania to the 60s obsession with studio musical adaptations.
Elaborating on the view in a recent interview, he added: ‘The analogy works because it’s a similar chokehold.’
Tarantino says superhero movies will fall out of favor but the ‘writing’s not quite on the wall yet’
Two of 2022’s highest-grossing movies are superhero flicks, including Marvel’s Dr Strange
The latest Batman movie, starring Robert Pattinson, is also one of this year’s biggest earners
Tarantino, whose list of critically-acclaimed works includes Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bill films, told the LA Times he hasn’t touched the genre because ‘you have to be a hired hand to do those things.
‘I’m not a hired hand. I’m not looking for a job.’
But ‘the writing’s not quite on the wall yet’ for a decline in the popularity of superhero movies.
Tarantino said the popularity of musical adaptions in the 60s ended when film studios realized, ‘Oh, my God, we just put a bunch of money into things that nobody gives a damn about anymore.’
Two superhero movies appear in this year’s current top five highest-grossing list.
Oscar-winning director Tarantino likened superhero mania to similar trends in 1960s cinema
Tarantino’s first film was Reservoir Dogs, marking the start of a legendary Hollywood career
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a Marvel Comics movie, was third on the list and generated $955,775,804.
The Batman, a DC Comics movie, was fifth with $770,836,163.
Tarantino’s comments follow similar remarks from Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese in December 2019.
The 79-year-old Taxi Driver director expressed concern that the genre is pushing other films to the periphery of the film business.
He said: ‘We are in a situation now where the theaters are only showing the latest superhero films.
Fellow Hollywood icon Martin Scorcese has also been critical of the genre’s grip on Hollywood
‘You have 12 screens – and 11 are the superhero film. You enjoy superhero films, fine, but you need 11 screens?
‘It’s crazy for a picture like, you know, Lady Bird or The Souvenir. Those films may not necessarily be hugely commercial, but there are films that are modest and genuine and find a large audience.
‘Just because a film is commercial doesn’t mean it can’t be art. What has consumed the theaters is product. A product is to be consumed and thrown away.’
He asked pointedly: ‘How are we going to protect the artform?’