Director James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) took to his Facebook page last night to dispel the sentiment that superhero movies were plaguing Hollywood, here’s what he had to say:
“I didn’t really find the Jack Black superhero jokes offensive, did you guys? It was, like, a joke. I’m not sure if you guys noticed, but the writing on the Oscars didn’t seem to be all that well thought out.
As far as Dan Gilroy saying that attendees of the Independent Spirit Awards have survived against a “tsunami of superhero films” – well it seems a bit weird coming from a guy whose wife has acted in two Thor films – really, that seems like you’ve drowned horribly in that tsunami. But I know I just kind of make up stuff as I go along on these awards shows, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
Whatever the case, the truth is, popular fare in any medium has always been snubbed by the self-appointed elite. I’ve already won more awards than I ever expected for Guardians. What bothers me slightly is that many people assume because you make big films that you put less love, care, and thought into them then people do who make independent films or who make what are considered more serious Hollywood films.
I’ve made B-movies, independent films, children’s movies, horror films, and gigantic spectacles. I find there are plenty of people everywhere making movies for a buck or to feed their own vanity. And then there are people who do what they do because they love story-telling, they love cinema, and they want to add back to the world some of the same magic they’ve taken from the works of others. In all honesty, I do no find a strikingly different percentage of those with integrity and those without working within any of these fields of film.
If you think people who make superhero movies are dumb, come out and say we’re dumb. But if you, as an independent filmmaker or a “serious” filmmaker, think you put more love into your characters than the Russo Brothers do Captain America, or Joss Whedon does the Hulk, or I do a talking raccoon, you are simply mistaken.”
Mic dropped..and now…my turn..
I think many people who stand up in front of a large crowd sometimes use that moment for a stance in a positive way, like Patricia Arquette, and then there’s Dan Gilroy.
My question to Dan would be: Why does it matter? There are an abundance of every genre of film every year least of all superhero movies! Hundreds upon hundreds of comedy, drama, horror, and action fill Cineplex’s every Wednesday, Thursday or Friday every weekend of every month….to single out superhero movies is a joke.
Its jealousy on the part of someone I actually admired and VOTED for for the Spirit Awards. It shouldn’t matter what type of films are getting audiences to see movies as long as they are GOOD MOVIES. Dan forgets that it is the big films that help fund the smaller ones, maybe he should remind himself that and steer clear of crapping in the pool..
Dan…you directed one “Indie” movie…ONE MOVIE (which wasn’t that indie to be honest) and before that you WROTE Reel Steel, Two For The Money, The Bourne Legacy and Freejack….far from indie movies, then you stood up in front of lifer indie people and chanted ‘nay to Hollywood’ like you were one of them. Here’s the truth, maybe for one night you were, but one movie does not make you something you’re not. Let’s remember to take a moment and think before we speak in the future to avoid these types of hissy fits.
Yours truly,
Michael Petrelli
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