Brave New World Tim Blake Nelson on Keeping Cinema Alive

While some directors and critics believe the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the harbinger of the end of the world for cinema, one actor disagrees, believing the MCU is the reason people still watch movies in theaters. Tim Blake Nelsonwho returns to the MCU for Captain America: Brave New WorldHe first appeared as Samuel Stearns/The Boss in amazing hulk In 2008, it became common for film fans and the widely disliked “movie buffs” to downplay or criticize the impact the Marvel Cinematic Universe has had on movie theaters. But Nelson sees only the positive side.

Speaking to TheWrap about his long-awaited return to the MCU, Nelson praised Marvel Studios’ influence on the film industry. The MCU was arguably the first franchise (and arguably the biggest) to feature characters jumping from standalone films to full-scale ensemble films, and vice versa in a shared universe. Not only was this approach to storytelling unique, it was also immensely popular. Of the ten highest-grossing films of all time, four are MCU films. Nelson explained:

“Marvel has become an unprecedented phenomenon in the history of cinema. These films that have characters moving in and out of each other’s story lines, meeting, then breaking up, fighting against each other in one universe: that’s never happened before in films. And when people attack these films as, ‘Well, it’s not real cinema’ or ‘It’s the death of cinema,’ I actually think they’re keeping cinema alive, and I mean that.”

Why are Marvel movies under attack?

Any popular movie or series is bound to face opposition from opposing fans. Especially in the age of social media and the internet, it’s become “cool” and it’s all too easy to hate the most popular cultural phenomenon. However, criticism of Marvel movies has been on the rise since 2019. Speaking to Empire MagazineLegendary director Martin Scorsese has compared Marvel movies to theme park rides, saying:

“I don’t see these movies. I tried, didn’t I? But this isn’t cinema. Honestly, the closest thing I can think of to these movies, despite how well they’re made and the actors doing their best under the circumstances, is theme parks. This isn’t the cinema of humans trying to transmit emotional and psychological experiences to another human being.”

Those who held a similar view took Scorsese’s words and were quick to follow suit. In his defense of the director, he later explained that some of his fans took his words to mean a deep hatred for all Marvel films, whereas the director was simply sharing his opinion as a classic filmmaker. But despite his initial intentions, Scorsese’s words sparked an online war, which continues to rage on X/Twitter, between die-hard Marvel fans and their more cinephile counterparts. Caught in the middle are the audience who just want to enjoy a good movie, regardless of its source.

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Whether Marvel movies are considered “cinema” is a purely relative matter. Regardless of personal opinions and positions, Marvel movies are here to stay. Deadpool and Wolverine The film helped put the Marvel Cinematic Universe back on track, receiving strong reviews and dominating the box office. The film's success has put Marvel Studios in a strong position ahead of the release of the next film. Captain America: Brave New World Next year.