Celebrated British actor Brian Cox is known for his relentless honesty when it comes to new films and the state of the industry, and the new hit of the MCU, Deadpool and Wolverineis the latest target in his critical crosshairs. Cox has been working since 1965, starting his career in dramas on the British television channel ITV and slowly working his way up the career ladder until, after appearances in Robert Roy, Brave heartAnd ManhunterIn recent years, Cox’s fame has risen to new heights, especially thanks to his leading role in HBO’s remarkable drama Consequenceand the actor has used his new platform to what he thinks is the reason why cinema is dying…blockbuster superhero movies.
Cox recently spoke at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (via The Hollywood Reporter) about the current state of the industry. After appearing in the hugely successful Consequence as the manipulative patriarch of the Roy family, The actor believes that television is quickly overtaking cinema as a prime destination for storytellers. Cox explained that the MCU and superhero movies were partly to blame.
Deadpool and Wolverine
3.5/5
A sequel to the hugely successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films, starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth, the third film will be the first in the series to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
- Release date
- July 26, 2024
- studio
- Marvel Studios, 20th Century Studios, 21 Laps Entertainment
- slogan
- Everyone deserves a happy ending.
- franchise
- Wonder
Unlike director Martin Scorsese, Cox has nothing against this particular genre, he has worked in films such as X-Men 2 himself. Instead, he criticizes the studios’ attempts to make these films seem like “grandiose” events instead of letting the story speak for itself – and mentions the recently released Deadpool and Wolverine. Cox said:
“What’s happened is that television is doing what cinema used to do. I think cinema is doing very badly. I think it’s lost its place, partly because of the grandiose element between Marvel, DC and all that. And I think it’s actually starting to implode. You kind of lose the thread.
(These films) make a lot of money, which makes everyone happy, but in terms of the work, it gets diluted afterwards. You always get the same thing… I mean, I’ve done those (projects). So for certain actors, it’s just become a party time to do these things. When you know Hugh Jackman can do a little bit more, Ryan Reynolds… they go down that road and it’s a box office hit. They make a lot of money. You can’t underestimate that.”
Brian Cox reveals fundamental changes in the film industry
During the conversation, Brian Cox recalled his early days as an actor. Born in Dundee, Scotland, Cox recalled trying to get cast in local theater productions, which involved going to auditions and meeting with casting directors, writers, and anyone else who would help him get his foot in the door. Some 60 years later Cox said the industry has changed significantly, especially in terms of the casting process. The actor is sympathetic to new actors trying to make their breakthrough who find themselves stuck in endless self-taped auditions where they never really meet anyone or build a relationship with those involved. Cox said:
“Now they want every young actor or actress to do their own self-tapes. They have to do that without actually meeting anyone, and sometimes they don’t even get the damn result because they’re ignored. They spend three days doing a self-date that goes nowhere. Now young actors are in limbo, and that’s, frankly, disgusting because it actually prevents what an actor can do or who an actor is.”
Related
Horizon’s Michael Rooker criticizes the TikTok generation and demands that they learn to “watch real cinema.”
Michael Rooker urges TikTokers to get over Horizon’s long running time and experience what he calls “real cinema.”
The actor’s recent comments are far from the first time Cox has attacked the industry. Earlier this year, Brian Cox criticized Joaquin Phoenix’s performance in Ridley Scott’s Napoleon Biopic. While the film received mixed reactions from fans, Cox was not a fan of the film. Without holding back, Cox concluded, “It’s truly horrifying.”
Consequence
is available to stream on Max.
