Seth Rogen Says THE BOYS "Wouldn't Exist" Without Marvel, But Thinks The MCU Is "Geared Towards Kids"

Seth Rogen Says THE BOYS "Wouldn't Exist" Without Marvel, But Thinks The MCU Is "Geared Towards Kids"

The Boys producer Seth Rogen is fully aware of how much the Prime Video show takes influence from Marvel movies, but feels the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in general, is "geared towards kids."

By MarkCassidy - Feb 02, 2023 07:02 PM EST
Filed Under: The Boys

Prime Video's The Boys has never been shy about taking the odd harmless (and sometimes a little more scathing) dig at the superhero genre, and both the Marvel and DC Cinematic Universes have influenced quite a few hilarious parody scenes (and even full storylines) over the course of three seasons of the critically-acclaimed series.

During an interview with Total Film, producer Seth Rogen admitted that The Boys would “not exist or be interesting” without the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but isn't a big fan of the movies themselves as he feels they are made with a younger demographic in mind.

“I think that Kevin Feige is a brilliant guy, and I think a lot of the filmmakers he’s hired to make these movies are great filmmakers,” Rogen said. “But as someone who doesn’t have children… It is [all] kind of geared toward kids, you know? There are times where I will forget. I’ll watch one of these things, as an adult with no kids, and be like, ‘Oh, this is just not for me.'”

However, when asked about "superhero fatigue" and the notion that Marvel/superhero movies are over-saturating the marketplace, Rogen came to the genre's defence.

“I think if it was only Marvel, it would be bad. But I think it isn’t – clearly. An example I’m always quoting is, there’s a point in history where a bunch of filmmakers would have been sitting around, being like, ‘Do you think we’ll ever make a movie that’s not a Western again? Everything’s a Western! Westerns dominate the [frick]ing movies. If it doesn’t have a hat and a gun and a carriage, people aren’t going to go see it anymore.'”

While children are obviously one major target audience for Marvel, many would argue that the majority of the movies are no more "geared towards kids" than any major PG-13 blockbuster franchises that have come along over the years.

What do you guys make of Rogen's comments? Be sure to share your thoughts down below.

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JonAwesome
JonAwesome - 2/2/2023, 7:39 PM
I thinks it’s naive to say Marvel is geared toward kids. More accurately it is geared toward the general audience. Luckily there seems to be plenty of variety from other outlets.
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 2/2/2023, 8:09 PM
@JonAwesome - I think a lot of folks have this strange misconception that adult themes are strictly blood + gore + porn. It's bizarre. Because it's basically saying that anything that doesn't contain excessive violence, sex, or drug usage is instantly for children. If you watch Infinity War it has elements for the whole family but then it takes on a deeper theme that children wouldn't understand. That being about poverty and fairness. It flirts with socialism and the consequences of overlooking a growing problem. But it didn't need blood + gore + sex to drive the theme. It was a very adult theme that children cannot process until they themselves become adults.
dragon316
dragon316 - 2/2/2023, 9:16 PM
@JonAwesome - until I see r rated movie I believe it is for kids especially over used comedy
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/2/2023, 9:22 PM
@JonAwesome - Agreed. It's "kid friendly" in the sense that the language never gets too bad, and the violence is never too gory. But I wouldn't say it's geared towards kids. More like it's geared to be acceptable for all ages.
StSteven
StSteven - 2/2/2023, 10:14 PM
@SonOfAGif - Yeah, I totally agree. Being a father of 2 little girls (3 1/2 and one newly 7), I have to think about what we all watch together, especially when it comes to superhero movies. So far, there has no been an MCU movie that I didn't want them to watch. I just don't want them to have nightmares.

But it's also about whether or not they can follow the story. Obviously my littlest one isn't following any story, but my oldest one is. I just got "The Highlander" on 4K so we are watching that. Even though my wife has seen it it's been a decade or longer so she doesn't remember it. My kids have never seen it, but my oldest gets the whole idea of "a prince who can never die loses his princess and finds a new one while trying to take down the evil prince who can also never die" theme. Oh, and decapitations. but she covers her eyes for that.

That's pretty serious stuff for a kid to wrap their head around, but it's done in a way that never makes it bloody or gory, but still tells a damn good story. That's what I think Marvel does really well.

Just try explaining the events of the "Infinity Saga" to a little kids and you'll realize it's not exactly geared solely toward little kids: "You see, a big bad alien guy killed a bunch of people to get these stones to put in his magic glove so that he could kill half of the universe". "Even puppies and unicorns?" "Yes, honey, even puppies and unicorns". "Hey, it's okay. Stop crying. Here here come watch "The Boys". No puppies or unicorns were killed in that show.".

I rest my case Your Honor.
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 2/2/2023, 10:50 PM
@StSteven - And I think that's what seems to go over "edgelord's" heads when it comes to Adult vs kiddie movies. Does the MCU sugar coat adult themes? Absolutely. Does that undermine and eliminate the adult theme? Absolutely NOT. The Winter Soldier is the best example. You had a Nazi organization infiltrate a Global Security organization to use Iron Man Technology in Hellocarriers to mass murder millions of Hydra threats based on an algorithm a Nazi created. Does that sound like it's for kids? But because Captain America does backflips and cool shield acrobatics with no gore, suddenly it's catered towards kids. What about the racism within Black Panther or the suicide backstory for Bruce Banner in The Avengers? Just because no gore and no sexual acts are shown does not negate the adult themes behind a lot of MCU projects.
grif
grif - 2/2/2023, 11:30 PM
@JonAwesome - at the moment i am not sure who it is geared towards
TheVandalore
TheVandalore - 2/2/2023, 11:53 PM
@JonAwesome - he has it backwards.

It's not "Marvel is for kids, The Boys is for adults"

It is "Marvel is for everyone, The Boys is not for kids"
Humperdink
Humperdink - 2/3/2023, 12:03 AM
@SonOfAGif - @JonAwesome

More accurately it is geared toward the general audience.

I think a lot of folks have this strange misconception that adult themes are strictly blood + gore + porn.


You're both on point here. Couldn't agree more.

Captain America: Winter Soldier wasn't made for 5-year olds. The MCU films can be family friendly but not "made for kids."

To be honest, I sometimes find The Boys to be incredibly juvenile in its attempts to be edgy.
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 2/3/2023, 1:18 AM
@Humperdink - If you look at Shang Chi, It was very focused on child abuse and the side effects it has on those same children when they become adults. But kids focus on the fight scenes and the dragons. But adults look at the theme and it can be a reflection on their upbringings. But because it doesn't have excessive gore and brutality, It isn't looked at as an adult type of theme.
thewanderer
thewanderer - 2/3/2023, 7:45 AM
@JonAwesome - Right, I think it's more accurate to say the MCU is "kid friendly". It's geared towards the wide audience, but something you can bring your kids to for the most part. Whereas something like The Boys is definitely Adult only.

The "I Am Groot" series on Disney+ is just about the only thing I can think of that MCU has done that has been GEARED towards children.
thewanderer
thewanderer - 2/3/2023, 7:47 AM
@StSteven - Further, I've loved bonding with my oldest daughter over MCU movies.

Great memories like sneaking in Age of Ultron and Free Comic Book Day the morning of my other daughter's birthday party.
StSteven
StSteven - 2/3/2023, 2:14 PM
@SonOfAGif - Oh yeah, "CA:TWS" is a great example. You left out the part about how Cap thought his best friend died when he fell from a train but he just had his arm cut off and then he was brainwashed by said Nazis into becoming an unstoppable killing machine with a metal arm (Peter Parker "Whoa!") who have been using him to assonate political figures and people of importance over the years (including Tony's mom and dad) before wiping his memories and putting him back "in the ice" each time and then sending hime to kill his best friend who he doesn't recognize and refuses to kill him even when he's beating him to death and even by the end of the movie doesn't remember his best friend (Whew!).

Yep, real kids stuff there. Straight outta Nickelodeon. FWIW I'll be watching "BP:WF" with the fam on D+ tonight. I'm sure the kids will enjoy this lighthearted tale about a funny fishy-man who just wants to make some new friends with the kitty people and the Robo-Girl. Wait... (checks earpiece)... my producer is telling me that it's actually a compelling, emotional story about death, loss, grieving, anger, colonialism, and a nation trying to exploit the riches of another nation with a funeral for their beloved dead king and a lot of fighting - you know, kids stuff. I'm sure my daughters will be glued to the screen 😳.

BTW, I know it was a typo, but "Hellocarriers"? Are those what Hello Kitty rides around in because if there are any of those in "BP:WF" that could significantly increase my girls' level of interest.
StSteven
StSteven - 2/3/2023, 2:44 PM
@thewanderer - Yeah, same here. I've discovered that with my oldest as long as I'm able to frame any given story (no matter how sci-fi it is) as some kind of a "princess story" she's in (my youngest is starting to get there as well). "Star Wars"? Total princess story (with someone actually named "Princess" and actual knights). As I mentioned earlier, "The Highlander"? Total princess story. And if you squint hard enough you can make pretty much ANY MCU story into a princess story. "BP:WF" already has a literal princess in it. MJ in the MCU? Totally Peter's princess. I could keep going but you get the point.

Anyhow, those are the story elements that I connect with my oldest daughter on right now (and soon my youngest as well, hopefully). Glad to hear that you've had that bond as well. Cheers!
KWilly
KWilly - 2/2/2023, 7:41 PM
There's a difference between a kids movie a family movie. MCU is usually family oriented, but it's not a kids franchise.

But I get where Rogen is coming from. At the very least, he sounds more respectful than say some of the other critics of Marvel lately.
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/2/2023, 8:01 PM
@KWilly - Yeah, I get where he's coming from too. The MCU's been a very family oriented franchise since The Avengers (mostly due to Disney). But this is a time where we do have adult oriented comic book shit so we don't have to really complain about the MCU being "for kids". While I do wish the MCU got a bit more mature and complex with their stories and a inch more violent with their action, I know it aint gonna happen.
OriginalGusto1
OriginalGusto1 - 2/2/2023, 7:43 PM
Well, Seth Rogen made The Green Hornet. So, he can go [frick] himself.
OriginalGusto1
OriginalGusto1 - 2/2/2023, 7:44 PM
With a [frick]ing pineapple.
MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 2/2/2023, 7:44 PM
@OriginalGusto1 -

Lmao I bet he dic
dracula
dracula - 2/2/2023, 7:45 PM
@OriginalGusto1 - dont you think the boys and invincible make up for that
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/2/2023, 7:49 PM
@OriginalGusto1 - I personally love The Green Hornet, honestly one of my guilty pleasure CBM.
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 2/2/2023, 7:51 PM
@dracula - and preacher
mrbioshock1984
mrbioshock1984 - 2/2/2023, 7:52 PM
@dracula - hell no it's all Edgelord shit. Now if he made the classic animated movie Heavy Metal based off the comics. Then I'll give him some credit 😂
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/2/2023, 7:53 PM
@AmazingFILMporg - And Sandman
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 2/2/2023, 8:00 PM
@OriginalGusto1 - with pineapple express?
OriginalGusto1
OriginalGusto1 - 2/2/2023, 8:04 PM
@dracula - I love The Boys. But, I don't know if anything can make up for that. Point/Counterpoint...Did Deadpool undo Green Lantern?
OriginalGusto1
OriginalGusto1 - 2/2/2023, 8:04 PM
@FilmGuy7878 - You're dead to me.
OriginalGusto1
OriginalGusto1 - 2/2/2023, 8:05 PM
@FilmGuy7878 - Jokes...kidding.
OriginalGusto1
OriginalGusto1 - 2/2/2023, 8:05 PM
@MyCoolYoung - HHAHAHAHAH! Ok...ok.
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/2/2023, 8:07 PM
@OriginalGusto1 - The film has some redeeming qualities, John Cho, some of the action is pretty creative, the James Franco cameo, and that's kinda it.

I really want a proper Green Hornet and Kato film though.
OriginalGusto1
OriginalGusto1 - 2/2/2023, 8:15 PM
@FilmGuy7878 - Agreed, and agreed. But, I stand by my initial protests. Seth Rogen is qualified to be Matter Eater Lad, or Fall Off Arm Boy.
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/2/2023, 8:17 PM
@OriginalGusto1 - YES! I know Gunn would bring Rogen on as Matter Eater Lad in a heartbeat.
OriginalGusto1
OriginalGusto1 - 2/2/2023, 8:48 PM
@FilmGuy7878 - It writes itself!
OriginalGusto1
OriginalGusto1 - 2/2/2023, 8:48 PM
[frick], Booster Gold's getting a movie. Why not?
ProfessorWhy
ProfessorWhy - 2/3/2023, 5:47 AM
@FilmGuy7878 - I never understood the hate.
Fares
Fares - 2/2/2023, 7:46 PM
The MCU is geared towards as many types of people as possible, kids included. That's how you make as much money as possible obviously. But sure, if kids didn't exist within their target audience, the movies overall may be noticeably different, only to a certain extent though.
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 2/2/2023, 7:48 PM
"The MCU Is "Geared Towards Kids"

Reeds2Much
Reeds2Much - 2/2/2023, 7:49 PM
Weird timeline that the guy that made Sausage Party recognizes he's not the target demographic and doesn't throw a hissyfit over it. You know, like an adult.
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 2/2/2023, 7:50 PM
The boys is geared to 15 year old boys💁




Poop and pee. Edgy😎
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