Marvel, DC & Star Wars Are Ruining Movies, Says Roland Emmerich
Independence Day director Roland Emmerich has recently claimed that franchises such as the MCU, DCEU, and Star Wars are ruining movies. Besides Independence Day, Emmerich is also the mind behind several of the last three decades' defining disaster movies, including The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, and 2016's sequel to his smash hit film, Independence Day: Resurgence. Emmerich's newest film, Moonfall, will be released on February 3rd, 2022.
Emmerich is, of course, not the first big-name Hollywood director to take a dislike to many of the modern super-franchises. While promoting his film The Irishman, famed director Martin Scorsese stated that MCU films weren't cinema. Scorsese suggested that the action-packed blockbusters were "closer to theme park rides" than anything else. There often seems to be a general feeling amongst Hollywood filmmakers that massive franchises suppress creativity. For example, Last Night in Soho director Edgar Wright reportedly left the production of MCU's Ant-Man after the studio re-wrote the script, leaving Wright's voice out entirely.
It seems that this lack of director creativity is a sentiment that Emmerich shares. In a recent interview with Den of Geek, Emmerich was asked if it was difficult to get an original action movie made in the age of the MCU and DCEU. Emmerich immediately answered yes, stating that "Marvel and DC Comics, and Star Wars, have pretty much taken over." You can read his full comment below:
“Oh yes. 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 did not stop there, however. Emmerich continued to point out how studios like Marvel condition their audiences to favor their familiar stories and brand of storytelling by releasing up to four films a year and several series on Disney+. According to Emmerich, this makes it hard for any filmmaker with a new idea to get an audience's attention. Emmerich states that the only director who seems to get away with original ideas with ease is The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan.
While films such as those in the MCU certainly have struck a chord with fans and can boast a considerable following, it's easy to see where Emmerich is coming from. Emmerich is a filmmaker who not only directs but writes many of his films. While back in the 90s, Emmerich and his original disaster movies were a hot commodity, he is now faced with his newest film opening in the wake of Spider-Man: No Way Home. While Moonfall is only one movie, No Way Home is the 27th movie in the MCU, and if its box office returns continue on their current trend, No Way Home will become the most successful movie ever. It is certainly understandable why Emmerich is apprehensive about his newest release. However, Emmerich still has many fans out there, and he might find that many of them are eagerly awaiting the chance to enjoy one of his patented thrill rides when Moonfall is released in theatres.
Source: Den of Geek