So, exactly how many A-list directors have slammed Marvel and shown an unwillingness to ever work within the superhero genre? Too many to count. Scorsese, Coppola, Loach, Almodovar, Cronenberg, Scott, Boyle, De Palma, Stone, etc.
As far as Marvel is concerned., You can probably add “Parasite” director Bong Joon-ho to the above list, as he recently expressed a lack of interest in joining the MCU team. This is not necessarily surprising as a majority of celebrated international auteurs are not Marvel/DC fans, but Bong does have a large fanbase, in geek culture, which could render the below comments a tad problematic for them:
“I don’t think Marvel would ever want a director like me,” Bong tells Variety on the latest episode of “The Big Ticket” podcast. “I don’t expect any offers from them anytime soon. Of their movies, I did enjoy the films by James Gunn and James Mangold’s ‘Logan,’ and I think there are great directors who can handle great projects like that. The film industry seems complicated, but I think it’s quite simple for directors. It’s just best to do what you’re good at. And so I don’t really think Marvel and I are suitable for each other. That’s something I just intuitively feel.”
The high-budgeted enterprise which comes with Marvel movies seems to also be a turnoff for Bong.
“I felt much more comfortable with the size of ‘Parasite,’ where it’s like you’re making films under a microscope, you can take a very meticulous and focused approach,” Bong said. “And I really felt that that’s what suits me the best. That’s the path that I want to dig deeper into. I don’t think it’s about modesty or even fear. I think it’s about doing what suits me the best.”
Clearly, this is going to be news and the usual Marvel Studios actors/directors may call Bong out, much as they did with Scorsese. However, the fact of the matter is that if Marvel continues to monopolize its product in theaters, and audiences continue to respond in droves, then originally conceived dramas may continue to dwindle on the big screen. Bong’s explanations are sound and convey a willingness to defy the usual superhero blockbuster productions by working in more creatively minimalist and hands-on ways.
“Parasite,” now playing in theaters nationwide and is about to compete at the Oscars in Best Director, Best Picture, Best International Film, and other categories.