Nicolas Cage calls Marvel films a 'glorified WWE'
Nicolas Cage has called Marvel's linked superhero films a "well-funded and glorified WWE".
Speaking at a fan convention in Texas, Cage took aim at the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the long-running series of connected comic-book films, as reported by The Guardian on 1 October.
He said it with love. Cage prefaced his criticism with the line "I do say this with love" before describing "50-plus and otherwise intelligent and remarkably gifted thespians putting on these ridiculous outfits and getting ready for the fight."
He criticised the focus on combat. "Let's face it, it's all cutting to the fight," he said, using WWE to mean the American professional wrestling organisation known for staged bouts and big costumes.
Cage has worked inside the Marvel world himself. He played Ghost Rider in two movies, a character from a Marvel Comics adaptation, as noted by Reuters, and his recent credits include the Sony Marvel series Spider-Noir. That show was cancelled after a single season.
His next screen role moves away from superheroes. He will next be seen as the lead in David O Russell's biopic of John Madden.
What makes this stand out is the speaker's own history. For fans, this means another veteran star of comic-book films is questioning the formula while still taking jobs inside it.
