Mark Millar Explains That DC Films Don't Work as Well as Marvel Films Because "The Characters Aren't Cinematic"

The debate between DC and Marvel films is one that the fans will never let go of. There is just so much passion for these properties, and the fans feel they have to defend what they love. However, you can't argue with the fact that Marvel Studios has seen a lot more success in their efforts than DC, both critically and at the box office. 

Fans have their own opinions on why this is and a lot of them will say it's because Marvel has a better understanding of their characters, and they have talented and creative people developing their movies. However, there are DC fans that will say the Marvel movies are utter crap and that the DC movies are the superior franchise.

Now, comic book writer Mark Millar weighs in on the debate and offers up some thoughts on why he feels the Marvel movies are better and more successful on DC and explains why he thinks that is saying, “I think it’s really simple. The [DC] characters aren’t cinematic.”

Millar has worked for both Marvel and DC and has written some of their most memorable comic book stories. There are a lot of DC fans who probably won't agree with his point of view, but here's his explanation:

"And I say [that] as a massive DC fan who much prefers their characters to Marvel’s. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are some of my favorites but I think these characters, with the exception of Batman, they aren’t based around their secret identity. They are based around their super power. Whereas the Marvel characters tend to be based around the personality of Matt Murdock or Peter Parker or the individual X-Men, it’s all about the character. DC, outside of Batman, is not about the character. With Batman, you can understand him and you can worry about him but someone like Green Lantern, he has this ring that allows him to create 3D physical manifestations and green plasma with the thoughts in his head but he’s allergic to the color yellow! How do you make a movie with that? In 1952 that made perfect sense but now the audience have no idea what that’s all about."

I've personally always felt that the DC characters were harder to connect with than the Marvel characters. I've felt that way ever since I was a kid reading the comics. Marvel characters were more grounded and real to me, whereas DC characters were pretty much all Gods, and it's hard to relate to a God. Millar went on to say:

"People will slam me for this but I think the evidence is there. We’ve seen great directors, great writers and great actors, tonnes of money thrown at them, but these films aren’t working. I think they are all too far away from when they were created. Something feels a little old about them, kids look at these characters and they don’t feel that cool. Even Superman, I love Superman, but he belongs to an America that doesn’t exist anymore. He represents 20th Century America and I think he peaked then."

He makes some interesting points here, but I still think that there is a way to make these DC movies work! I also think that these DC characters are very cinematic! Wonder Woman did it and it sounds like Aquaman will do it. I just think it all comes down to the vision of the talent that the studio brings on board to develop these films. The right filmmakers can bring fans the great movies they are hoping for. 

What do you think about Millar's comments?

Source: Yahoo