Brian Cox Slams Current State of Cinema, Blames Deadpool, Wolverine & Comic Book Movies

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As a film enthusiast with a whopping 58 years of experience under my belt, I must say that Brian Cox is a breath of fresh air in today’s movie industry. His unwavering honesty and keen insight into the state of cinema are truly commendable. Unlike some naysayers, I believe he’s spot-on when it comes to the rise of television and the decline of movies due to superhero blockbusters.

Renowned British actor Brian Cox is recognized for his unwavering frankness about upcoming films and the film industry, and the latest blockbuster superheroes, Deadpool and Wolverine from the MCU, have found themselves in the crossfire of his critical comments. With a career spanning over five decades that started with ITV (a British television channel) dramas, Cox climbed the ladder to fame with roles in films like Rob Roy, Braveheart, and Manhunter. His popularity soared even higher in recent times, primarily due to his outstanding performance in HBO’s hit drama Succession. Using this newfound prominence, Cox has been vocal about his concerns that he believes are responsible for the decline of ‘cinema’ – blockbuster superhero movies.

Cox recently spoke at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (via The Hollywood Reporter) about the current state of the industry. After appearing in the wildly successful Succession as the manipulative patriarch of the Roy family, the actor believes that television is quickly overtaking movies as the premiere storytelling destination. Cox explained that the MCU and superhero movies are partly to blame.

Contrary to Martin Scorsese, Cox does not harbor any disdain towards that particular film genre. In fact, he has been part of movies like X-Men 2 himself. However, his criticism lies in the studio’s efforts to elevate these films into “grandiose” spectacles, as opposed to allowing the narrative to unfold naturally, without the need for excessive pomp and circumstance – a point he illustrated by mentioning the recent releases of Deadpool & Wolverine. Cox expressed this sentiment:

It seems television has taken over some aspects that cinema once excelled at. Frankly, I’m concerned about the current state of cinema. I believe one reason for its decline is the dominance of large-scale productions like Marvel and DC, which have overshadowed smaller, more intimate stories. To be honest, it feels like cinema is starting to crumble under this pressure. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to follow a coherent narrative amidst all this.

These films are generating substantial profits, bringing joy to many, but creatively, they tend to lose depth following their release. To put it another way, I’ve worked on similar projects before, and it seems like these have become more about celebrations for certain actors rather than artistic endeavors. Given Hugh Jackman’s versatility and Ryan Reynolds’ talent, when they opt for such roles, the box office success is inevitable. While it can’t be dismissed due to its financial success.

Brian Cox Reveals Major Way the Movie Industry Has Changed

In the course of our chat, Brian Cox reminisced about his early acting days. Hailing from Dundee, Scotland, he recollected his efforts to secure roles in local stage plays. This would entail attending auditions and interacting with casting directors, writers, and others to boost his chances. Six decades later, Cox expressed that the industry has undergone substantial transformation, particularly in the casting process. The actor empathizes with aspiring actors who are currently grappling with a mountain of self-taped auditions, where they seldom get a chance to connect with those involved. Cox stated:

Currently, it’s expected for aspiring young actors and actresses to create their own self-tapes for auditions. This process involves recording themselves without any in-person interaction, often resulting in no feedback at all if they are overlooked. After investing several days in creating these self-tapes, the young performers find themselves in a state of uncertainty, as this system hinders their growth and identity as actors. Frankly, it’s disheartening because it restricts an actor’s potential and individuality.

1. Brian Cox has criticized the film industry before, and his recent remarks are no exception. Earlier this year, he openly disapproved of Joaquin Phoenix’s performance in Ridley Scott’s Napoleon biopic. Despite the mixed reactions from fans, Cox himself found the movie to be disappointing, going as far as saying, “It’s truly awful.”

Succession
is available to stream on Max.

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2024-08-19 18:01