Nicolas Cage says Marvel movies have turned into 'a glorified WWE'

Actor Nicolas Cage has openly criticized the direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, suggesting it has evolved into something resembling an expensively produced wrestling show. Speaking at a fan convention in Texas, Cage observed that gifted actors over the age of 50 are now being dressed in outlandish costumes and prepared for fight sequences that, in his view, represent the real focus of these films.

Cage himself has a long history with Marvel-related projects. He played the superhero Ghost Rider in two feature films and starred in Sony's Spider-Noir series, which was cancelled after just one season. The 62-year-old actor told Variety that his interest in the Spider-Noir role was rooted mainly in aesthetics — he wanted to channel the style of classic Hollywood actors like Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney, shaping his performance to suit the show's black-and-white presentation.

Shared skepticism

Cage joins a number of established filmmakers who have voiced doubts about the superhero genre. Director Martin Scorsese has compared Marvel films to theme park rides, while Francis Ford Coppola has called the company behind them despicable. Denis Villeneuve has said too many Marvel films feel like copies of one another, and Ken Loach has described superhero movies as boring and a cynical practice unrelated to true cinematic art.

Cage's next role will see him portray legendary football figure John Madden in a biopic directed by David O. Russell.