Martin Scorsese Embraces the Star Wars Universe, Bridging the Gap with Fans
Martin Scorsese, who has been under fire for nearly seven years for his comments comparing Marvel films to “theme parks,” has found a surprising connection with fans of blockbuster cinema by landing a role in the Star Wars universe. The new trailer for May’s *The Mandalorian and Grogu Go to White Castle* reveals that the iconic 83-year-old director lends his voice to an Ardennian shopkeeper who has intel on the Hutts. Disney and Lucasfilm confirmed his involvement, but honestly, it was pretty obvious given how many times I’ve watched *Shark Tale*.
Scorsese’s cameo in Star Wars, following in the footsteps of New German Cinema legend Werner Herzog, isn’t groundbreaking on its own; a well-known site once aptly noted that he’s an “underrated actor” thanks to his self-portrayals in *Taxi Driver* and *Killers of the Flower Moon*. However, his participation in a major Disney project carries a lot of weight—maybe it’s time to move past his “controversial” remarks about superhero films?
The debate ignited during his 2019 press tour for *The Irishman*, when he declared that Marvel movies were “not cinema.” This statement, stripped of nuance, stuck with him, and the director of classics like *Goodfellas*, *After Hours*, *The Last Temptation of Christ*, *Raging Bull*, *The Departed*, and *The Wolf of Wall Street* became an easy target for online criticism, often labeled a snob.
Scorsese has consistently clarified that he doesn’t dismiss the talent behind blockbuster filmmaking. He acknowledges that the directors, actors, designers, and VFX artists involved in superhero films are highly skilled professionals. His distinction lies in the intention and risk involved. He argues that franchise films are crafted to meet existing audience expectations—delivering spectacle, continuity, and emotional beats that fit within a familiar framework. This approach, he believes, leaves little room for the uncertainty, vulnerability, and creative risk he associates with true art. And let’s be real: he had a point.
In a widely discussed op-ed for the New York Times, which he felt compelled to write due to the ongoing chatter, Scorsese sharpened his original argument. “Another way of putting it would be that they are everything that the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, Claire Denis, Spike Lee, Ari Aster, Kathryn Bigelow, or Wes Anderson are not. When I watch a movie by any of those filmmakers, I know I’m going to see something absolutely new.”
Given their many discussions over the years and a friendship that led to a role in *The Wolf of Wall Street*, it’s likely that *The Mandalorian and Grogu* director Jon Favreau shares Scorsese’s views on studio franchise filmmaking. Back when Favreau hosted *Dinner for Five* on IFC, he dedicated an entire 30 minutes to picking Scorsese’s brain, showing just how much he respects him.
Despite the anger and controversies (and the highly recommended Apple documentary that dives into the ups and downs of his career), Scorsese doesn’t seem to hold grudges. He views George Lucas’ 1977 film *Star Wars* as a pivotal moment for the film industry, one he wishes could allow for both art and summer blockbusters to coexist. In 1990, Lucas helped Akira Kurosawa get his ambitious anthology film *Dreams* made at Warner Bros, casting Scorsese as Vincent Van Gogh in the process. Lucas also contributed significantly to Scorsese’s NYU film programs and production facilities. None of that would have happened without the Star Wars phenomenon.
Scorsese has never been the type to balance personal projects with mainstream hits like Steven Spielberg or Steven Soderbergh, but he knows how to navigate the industry. He directs Dolce & Gabbana ads, appears in Star Wars films and Super Bowl commercials, and produces docuseries for Fox Nation. With that financial backing, he can create art alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. There’s no shame in having principles, ethics, and an artistic vision. Everything Scorsese has said about Marvel films can still hold true while he plays a six-limbed alien with secrets about Rotta the Hutt.
Get ready: the Scorsese/Star Wars conversation kicks off when *The Mandalorian and Grogu* premieres on May 22.
