Why Ridley Scott Declined a Superhero Film and What It Means
Ridley Scott, acclaimed filmmaker, reveals why he declined a superhero movie Despite directing iconic films like Gladiator, Aliens, and Blade Runner, Scott explains his unique perspective on the genre Discover his intriguing insights and creative choices
Renowned director Ridley Scott, who has received nominations for the prestigious Oscar award, recently disclosed that he declined an offer to helm a superhero film. In a conversation with Deadline, Scott recalled his response, stating, "'No thank you. Not for me.'" However, he did not specify whether the offer came from Marvel or DC studios. Scott, acclaimed for his directorial works on iconic films such as Gladiator, Alien, Blade Runner, and Black Hawk Down, further asserted that he has already ventured into the realm of superhero movies, albeit based on his personal interpretation.
I consider Sigourney Weaver to be a superhero in Aliens, Russell Crowe to be a superhero in Gladiator, and Harrison Ford to be the super anti-hero in Blade Runner. However, the striking disparity lies in the quality of the damn stories.
Scott expressed his disinterest in the superhero movie genre, although he acknowledged a few exceptional Batman films and his fondness for the original Superman movie from 1978.
"The idolization of superheroes is essentially an extension of comic strips, making it challenging to successfully translate this medium onto the big screen," Scott remarked. "Personally, I am not a fan of superheroes, although I used to enjoy reading comic strips. Interestingly, as our visual capabilities have advanced, everything seems to become less authentic. Consequently, it appears that actors now use playing superheroes as a means to earn substantial financial rewards."
Scott's remarks come after actor Jeremy Allen White expressed his bewilderment over the notion of a Marvel movie being regarded as the ultimate achievement in an actor's profession. In the pipeline for Scott are several significant ventures, such as the highly anticipated film Napoleon (releasing on November 2), featuring Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic historical figure. Additionally, with the strikes affecting the Writer's Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA now concluded, Scott is resuming work on Gladiator 2.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about Ridley Scott's decision to decline a superhero film. On the one hand, I understand his perspective that superhero movies are often formulaic and lack the depth and complexity of more traditional dramas. On the other hand, I also recognize that superhero movies can be a lot of fun and can provide a much-needed escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Overall, I think Scott's decision is a personal one and I respect his right to choose the projects he wants to work on. I am excited to see what he does next and I am confident that he will continue to make great films, regardless of whether or not they are superhero movies.
