‘Stop Treating Them Like Art Films’: Ethan Hawke Slams Critics for High Expectations From Marvel Films
The Before series heartthrob, Ethan Hawke joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the utter surprise of his fans. He starred as Arthur Harrow, a villainous cult leader in the Disney+ series Moon Knight. Hawke had been vocally critical of the comic book genre in the past and that is why the fans were so shocked by his decision. Turns out the only problem that the actor had was with the critics who expected art film caliber from comic book films.
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Stop reviewing the comic book genre as art films: Ethan Hawke
Ethan Hawke recently gave an interview to IndieWire. He shared how he feels that it’s not “stuck up” to think that way, however “it needs to be somebody in the community saying, ‘Hey, everybody, this is not ‘Fanny and Alexander.'” Hawke further claimed that he has nothing against directors like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola sharing critical reviews of Marvel movies, but “if you keep reviewing these movies that are basically made for 14-year-olds like they’re ‘Fanny and Alexander’ or ‘Winter Light,’ then who the hell’s going to get to make ‘Winter Light’?”
Hawke added: “I appreciate the elder statesmen of the community reminding people not to set the bar too low. I know it makes some people think they’re stuck up, but they’re not stuck up.”
MCU is “extremely actor-friendly”
The 51-year-old actor also shared his experience of working in the MCU. He claimed that as actors, he and Oscar Isaac were given ample freedom to deliver their performances. Although, the directors might not have similar creative freedom, according to Hawke. He said:
“That group of people [at Marvel] is extremely actor-friendly. They might not be director-friendly, and that could be what Scorsese and Coppola are talking about. But they love actors. I think Kevin Feige had a great thing happen with Robert Downey Jr. and he understood that Downey’s passion was a large part of the success. When actors are excited by a part, audiences get excited about watching them. Feige understood the algorithm there, so they’re extremely respectful toward the process. The best thing about ‘Moon Knight’ for me was Oscar’s performance. It’s a gonzo thing that happens to have a giant budget — a pretty out-there performance.”
Is Ethan Hawke in for the long haul?
During the interview, Indiewire also asked Ethan Hawke if he had any impending fear of being stuck at Marvel for way too long a time, the actor said, “I’m not supposed to talk about it. I had to sign an NDA about dealing with them, but I’m not interested in long-term commitments. I protected myself because I didn’t know what it was going to be. I just wanted to know what that sandbox was like. And it’s what young people are watching, so why are we going to sit there and tell them it’s not good?”
Moon Knight is currently streaming on Disney+.
Also Read: Moon Knight: Is Arthur Harrow Dead?
Source: Variety
