Francis Ford Coppola joins Martin Scorsese in BASHING Marvel Studios superhero movies he calls 'despicable'

  • Martin Scorsese described Marvel universe films as theme parks and not cinema
  • Francis Ford Coppola joined in adding that the superhero series was 'despicable'
  • Godfather director added it was like seeing 'the same movie over and over again' 
  • Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn said he was 'saddened' by remarks

By Brian Gallagher For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Francis Ford Coppola has backed fellow director Martin Scorsese's controversial comments about Marvel superhero movies by denouncing them as 'despicable'.  

Earlier this month Scorsese, who was behind Goodfellas, Taxi Driver and his latest flick, The Irishman, slammed the comic book genre as 'not cinema' for the lack of emotion being conveyed.

He described the Marvel universe films as more like theme parks than cinema, even if they were well made. 

Coppola, who directed classics like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, revealed he agreed with Scorsese when it comes to the Marvel Studios franchise. 

But he went even further than his colleague and described the superhero series as 'despicable' and like seeing 'the same movie over and over again'. 

Marvel bashing: Just days after Martin Scorsese bashed Marvel Studios superhero movies, he got another ally in Francis Ford Coppola (pictured) who agrees with his stance

Marvel bashing: Just days after Martin Scorsese bashed Marvel Studios superhero movies, he got another ally in Francis Ford Coppola who agrees with his stance

The 80-year-old filmmaker was in Lyon, France, accepting the Prix Lumiere for his contributions to cinema, when he was asked about Scorsese's controversial comments.  

He said: 'When Martin Scorsese says that the Marvel pictures are not cinema, he's right because we expect to learn something from cinema, we expect to gain something, some enlightenment, some knowledge, some inspiration.

'I don't know that anyone gets anything out of seeing the same movie over and over again,' Coppola added.

Coppola even added an extra jab, going as far to call Marvel movies 'despicable' and stating that Scorsese's statement was kind.

'Martin was kind when he said it's not cinema. He didn't say it's despicable, which I just say it is,' Coppola added. 

Despicable: Coppola even added an extra jab, stating that Scorsese's statement was kind, while Coppola went so far to call Marvel movies 'despicable'

Despicable: Coppola even added an extra jab, stating that Scorsese's statement was kind, while Coppola went so far to call Marvel movies 'despicable'

Scorsese was being interviewed by Empire last week when he was asked about Marvel Studios superhero movies, revealing he has 'tried' to watch them. 

His remarks made waves across social media for days, as fans of his work and the Marvel hits such as the Avengers films, argued the merits. 

'I don't see them. I tried, you know? But that's not cinema,' Scorsese said.

'Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks,' he continued. 

'It isn't the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being,' he added. 

Kind: 'Martin was kind when he said it's not cinema. He didn't say it's despicable, which I just say it is,' Coppola added

Kind: 'Martin was kind when he said it's not cinema. He didn't say it's despicable, which I just say it is,' Coppola added

Scorsese's statement lead to several Marvel Studios directors to respond to his criticism, including Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn.

'Martin Scorsese is one of my 5 favorite living filmmakers,' Gunn began on Twitter.

'I was outraged when people picketed The Last Temptation of Christ without having seen the film. I'm saddened that he's now judging my films in the same way,' Gunn added, referring to religious groups protesting Scorsese's 1988 film.

'That said, I will always love Scorsese, be grateful for his contribution to cinema, and can't wait to see The Irishman,' Gunn added.

'And I'm not saying religious zealotry is the same as not liking my movies, or in the same category. 

Try: Scorsese was being interviewed by Empire last week when he was asked about Marvel Studios superhero movies, revealing he has 'tried' to watch them

Try: Scorsese was being interviewed by Empire last week when he was asked about Marvel Studios superhero movies, revealing he has 'tried' to watch them

Cinema: 'It isn't the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being,' he added

Cinema: 'It isn't the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being,' he added

'What I'm saying is I'm not fond of people judging things without actually seeing them, whether it's a movie about Jesus or a genre.'

Gunn added added on Instagram that gangster movies, which have been closely associated with Coppola and Scorsese, were once called 'despicable' by 'our grandfathers'.

He wrote: 'Some superhero films are awful, some are beautiful. Like westerns and gangster movies [and before that, just MOVIES], not everyone will be able to appreciate them, even some geniuses. And that's okay.'

Coppola hasn't directed a movie since 2011's Twixt, but he has been working on a project called Megalopolis for the past two decades. 

Director: Coppola hasn't directed a movie since 2011's Twixt, but he has been working on a project called Megalopolis for the past two decades

Director: Coppola hasn't directed a movie since 2011's Twixt, but he has been working on a project called Megalopolis for the past two decades

FranceFrancis Ford Coppola

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