You don't need us to tell you that there's an intense level of snobbery surrounding superhero movies in Hollywood, hence why the Academy quickly closed the door on Spider-Man: No Way Home receiving a "Best Picture" nomination. We frequently see acclaimed filmmakers take aim at the genre (it's how Martin Scorsese spends 90% of his time these days), but do they have a point?
There's no denying that it's getting harder to make lower-budgeted and original movies, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Benedict Cumberbatch has admitted to being conflicted during a recent interview with Vanity Fair. As an actor who's part of massive blockbusters and independent films, the actor wondered "Am I working for the Goliath that's killing the David?"
Cumberbatch would go on to elaborate, explaining that, "artistically, I never think of the two as completely mutually exclusive. Unless you have a Marvel star, financing any film is very, very, very, very difficult - no matter how important the story, no matter how urgent the story, no matter how talented and awarded and appreciated the artist is."
The actor makes a great point here, and we could endlessly debate the pros and cons of superhero movies becoming the dominant genre in Hollywood. Blockbusters have always ruled the roost, though, and if these billion-dollar titles can help bring new eyes to independent projects by making household names out of the actors they feature, then that's ultimately good for everyone.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be released in theaters on May 6. Before then, Cumberbatch will compete for a "Best Actor" Oscar for his work in The Power of the Dog.
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