Spider-Noir Actor Quips That the MCU is Turning into a ‘Glorified WWE’

Let’s be real: whether you’re a die-hard movie buff or just someone who occasionally flips through comics, superhero films are a hot topic. With Marvel and DC constantly battling it out on screens big and small, it’s tough not to have an opinion. Recently, actor Nicolas Cage shared his thoughts on the Marvel Cinematic Universe during a panel at a convention.

“I say this with love,” Cage chuckled. “But when I see these 50-plus and otherwise intelligent and remarkably gifted actors donning these outrageous costumes and gearing up for battle — let’s be honest, it’s all about the fight — I can’t help but think the MCU is turning into a well-funded, glorified WWE.”

While Cage was clearly joking, his comments have ignited conversations online. Some fans accuse him of hypocrisy, considering his recent role as investigator Ben Reilly in Spider-Noir and his past as Johnny Blaze in the Ghost Rider films. Others, however, appreciate his candidness about how these movies have evolved into flashy spectacles that often lack depth or emotional resonance.

Cage isn’t the first Hollywood figure to critique the MCU. In 2019, renowned director Martin Scorsese expressed his struggle to keep up with modern superhero films, stating, “I don’t see them. I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema. Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well-made as they are, with actors doing their best under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”

Cage’s lighthearted jab may not carry the same weight as Scorsese’s critique, but it does touch on the age of the actors portraying the MCU’s main characters and their impressive careers. Icons like Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, both knighted for their contributions to the arts, exemplify the caliber of talent involved. Robert Downey Jr., who will be donning a green cape as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, is 61 and has even snagged an Academy Award for his role in Oppenheimer.

Ultimately, while many fans tune into MCU films for the blockbuster thrills, others forge genuine emotional connections with the characters. The actors’ performances play a significant role in that bond, making it challenging — if not impossible — to find suitable replacements, especially with Avengers: Doomsday leaning heavily on nostalgia.