James Gunn Weighs in On Jodie Foster's Comments That Super Hero Films Are Ruining Audiences

Jodie Foster recently made some comments regarding superhero movies and how they are ruining audiences. I shared my own thoughts on these comments yesterday, but in case you missed it, here's what she said:

"Going to the movies has become like a theme park. Studios making bad content in order to appeal to the masses and shareholders is like fracking — you get the best return right now but you wreck the earth.

"It’s ruining the viewing habits of the American population and then ultimately the rest of the world. I don’t want to make $200 million movies about superheroes."

I don't agree with what she's saying and it seems like a lot of other fans don't agree either. Now Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn has shared some thoughts of his own regarding these comments. It's interesting to read what he had to say, especially because he is in the business of making comic book and superhero films! Here's what he had to say:

"I think Foster looks at film in an old-fashioned way where spectacle film can’t be thought-provoking. It’s often true but not always. Her belief system is pretty common and isn’t totally without basis. I say not without basis because most studio franchise films are quite soulless – and that is a real danger to the future of movies. But there are also quite a few exceptions.

"For cinema to survive I believe spectacle films NEED to have a vision and heart they traditionally haven’t. And some of us are doing our best to move in that direction. Creating spectacle films that are innovative, humane, and thoughtful is what excites me about this job.

"But, to be fair, at least from Foster’s quotes, she seems to see filmmaking as something that’s primarily about her own personal growth. For me, that may be part of why I do this, but spending many millions of dollars on a film has to be about more than that – it’s communication – so my experience is merely one spoke on that wheel. But I respect Foster and what she’s done for films and I appreciate her different way of looking at Hollywood’s landscape."

I really liked what Gunn had to say on the matter. Yes, there are a good amount of low-quality blockbuster films, but I also need to point out that there are also low-quality regular films as well. Regardless, I get what Gunn is saying, and in the end, I think a lot of the talented filmmakers who are lucky enough to be working in the movie industry should show respect and recognize the great films that are being made, superhero or not. I honestly don't think Jodie Foster is even watching these kinds of films.

Regardless of what Foster thinks, comic book and superhero films are here to stay and I imagine that they will only get better and more inventive.  What do you think about what James Gunn had to say?