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Actor Nicolas Cage criticized the direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during a recent Q&A at Fan Expo Dallas, saying he misses when its films prioritized story over action.
The Oscar winner described newer MCU releases as a "well-funded and glorified WWE."
"It started out, in my view, terrific. Some of the early stories were marvelous," Cage told the crowd. "The way that they wove all the threads together and told the different character stories and backstories."
Cage did not name the earlier films he considered "marvelous" but said he has noticed a shift in recent years. He said he makes the remark "with love."
According to Cage, when he sees "50-plus and otherwise intelligent and remarkably gifted thespians" putting on "ridiculous outfits" and getting ready for a fight, it is hard not to be reminded that the MCU "is becoming a well-funded and glorified WWE. "He said the films are now all about cutting to the fight.
Cage has never been part of the MCU. He recently played the title character in Prime Video's "Spider-Noir," which was canceled after one season. The live-action superhero detective series follows Cage's Ben Reilly, known as The Spider, a down-on-his-luck private investigator in 1930s New York City during the Great Depression.
"One of the things I liked about 'Spider-Noir' was it wasn't cut into the fight. It was a detective story," Cage told the audience at the fan convention. "There was a mystery there. And I would like to see it (MCU) get back to telling the stories and not just cutting to the wrestling match."
The actor also previously played Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider, a Marvel Comics character, in "Ghost Rider" (2007) and "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" (2012). Sony Pictures produced both films.
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