Benedict Cumberbatch (Kind Of) Agrees With Scorsese In Marvel Movie Backlash

Are Marvel movies really "cinema"? It's a debate that isn't going away just yet, as Doctor Strange himself, Benedict Cumberbatch, has now offered his two cents on the issue.

The back-and-forth over the apparent artistic value of blockbuster 'superhero' movies kicked off after legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese likened Marvel movies to "theme parks", saying that in his view, they are simply "not cinema".

While the likes of Guardians of the Galaxy's James Gunn have argued that "not everyone will be able to appreciate [comic book movies], even some geniuses", Benedict Cumberbatch has come out in (partial) agreement.

Speaking on SiriusXM, Cumberbatch said that it would be bad for one type of film genre to "have a kind of monopoly".

"I know there's been a lot of debate recently with these very, very fine filmmakers coming to the fore saying that these film franchises are taking over everything, but lucky us actors who get to do both kinds of variety at either polarity of budgeting.

"And I agree, you know – we don't want one king to rule it all and have a kind of monopoly."

The Doctor Strange actor admitted his hopes for continued diversity in cinema releases, adding: "We should really look into continuing to support auteur filmmakers at every level."

Unsurprisingly, Cumberbatch isn't the only Marvel star to have weighed in on the divisive issue, with Thor alum Natalie Portman recently insisting that there isn't "one way to make art".

Portman, who's set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Thor: Love and Thunder, said that she believes "there's room for all types of cinema", before offering her own explanation for Marvel's enormous success.

"I think that Marvel films are so popular because they're really entertaining," she told The Hollywood Reporter. "People desire entertainment when they have their special time after work, after dealing with their hardships in real life."

Speaking of Marvel, Avengers: Endgame is out now on DVD, Blu-ray, 3D, 4K and digital download.

Disney/Marvel Studios Avengers: Endgame 4K Includes Bonus Disk [Blu-ray] [2019] [Region Free]

£20 at Amazon

Disney/Marvel Studios Avengers: 1-4 Complete Blu-ray Boxset Includes Bonus Disk [2019] [Region Free]

Now 15% Off

£16 at Amazon

Disney/Marvel Studios Avengers Collection (1-3 Box-set) [UHD] [Blu-ray] [2018] [Region Free]

£25 at Amazon

Disney/Marvel Studios Avengers Triplepack Boxset [DVD] [2018]

£20 at Amazon

Disney/Marvel Studios Marvel Studios Collector's Edition Box Set - Phase 3 Part 1 [Blu-ray] [2018] [Region Free]

£25 at Amazon

Disney/Marvel Studios Marvel Studios Collector's Edition Box Set - Phase 3 Part 1 [DVD] [2018]

£23 at Amazon

Disney/Marvel Studios Marvel Studios Collector’s Edition Box Set – Phase 2 Blu-ray [Region Free]

£37 at Amazon

Disney/Marvel Studios Marvel Studios Collector’s Edition Box Set – Phase 2 [DVD]

£16 at Amazon

Disney/Marvel Studios Marvel Studios Collector’s Edition Box Set – Phase 1 Blu-ray [Region Free]

Shop at Amazon

Disney/Marvel Studios Marvel Studios Collector's Edition Box Set Phase 1 [DVD]

£24 at Amazon

Rianne Houghton

Rianne Houghton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy.