Director John Woo Reveals His Disinterest in Superhero Movies, Advocates for Authenic Cinema
Action filmmaker John Woo, known for directing Face/Off, shares his preference for real cinema over superhero movies Currently promoting Silent Night, starring Joel Kinnamon from Suicide Squad
John Woo, known for directing action films such as Hard Boiled, Face/Off, and Mission: Impossible 2, has revealed that he is not a fan of superhero movies or those with a heavy focus on special effects. Instead, the filmmaker expressed his preference for "old-fashioned" films and projects by Martin Scorsese. In an interview with Variety while promoting his latest film Silent Night, Woo mentioned his aversion to big special effects and comic book adaptations, stating his excitement for Scorsese's upcoming project Killers of the Flower Moon. He emphasized his love for classic cinema and expressed disappointment in the lack of such movies in current times.
Over four years have passed since Scorsese's comment that Marvel movies aren't cinema and are more like "amusement parks." The acclaimed director even elaborated on his superhero film remarks in a New York Times opinion piece. Despite this, Scorsese stood by his statement, noting that "nothing is at risk" in a Marvel movie.
In the meantime, Silent Night represents Woo's return to directing a Hollywood movie after 20 years, as his last American film was 2003's Paycheck starring Ben Affleck. The upcoming Christmas film features Kinnamon's character, Godlock, getting shot in the throat early on. As a result, Silent Night is essentially a silent film. "There's no dialogue in the entire movie! I thought this would be very good for me because it lets me use my gifts for telling a story visually," explained Woo.
Lionsgate plans to release Silent Night in theaters on December 1.
Image credit: Getty Images/Amy Sussman
Editor's P/S
John Woo, the legendary action filmmaker behind classics like Hard Boiled and Face/Off, has recently expressed his disinterest in superhero movies. In an interview, Woo stated that he prefers "old-fashioned" films and projects by Martin Scorsese, emphasizing his love for classic cinema. He also mentioned his excitement for Scorsese's upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon, indicating his preference for more serious and authentic storytelling.
As a fan of Woo's work, I can understand his perspective. While superhero movies have their place and can be entertaining, they often lack the emotional depth and character development found in more traditional films. Woo's preference for authenticity and realism in cinema is something I appreciate, as it allows for a more immersive and thought-provoking experience. Moreover, his admiration for Scorsese's work aligns with my own belief that Scorsese is one of the greatest filmmakers of our time.
