Stop me if you’ve heard this one, folks. James Cameron again criticized superhero movies for their lack of character depth. Speaking with The New York Times about Avatar: The Way of Water, Cameron commented on how characters in the sequel mature within the story. Then, completely unprompted, he launched into a tirade about characters featured in the Marvel and DC universes, saying they behave like college students and never sacrifice their position within the grand scheme of superhero work for a family or other reasons.
For context, Cameron said this about his characters in Avatar: The Way of Water: “Zoe and Sam now play parents, 15 years later,” Cameron confirmed. “In the first movie, Sam’s character leaps off his flying creature and essentially changes the course of history as a result of this crazy, almost suicidal leap of faith. And Zoe’s character leaps off a limb and assumes there’s going to be some nice big leaves down there that can cushion her fall. But when you’re a parent, you don’t think that way. So for me, as a parent of five kids, I’m saying, ‘What happens when those characters mature and realize that they have a responsibility outside their own survival?'”
Cameron continued, choosing to use the MCU and DCEU as examples of poor character development: “When I look at these big, spectacular films — I’m looking at you, Marvel and DC — it doesn’t matter how old the characters are, they all act like they’re in college. They have relationships, but they really don’t. They never hang up their spurs because of their kids. The things that really ground us and give us power, love, and a purpose? Those characters don’t experience it, and I think that’s not the way to make movies.”
I wonder if James Cameron knows about Scott and Cassie Lang or Wanda Maximoff and her sons, Billy and Tommy? Is he familiar with the Fantastic Four? Valeria and Franklin Richards will likely enter the MCU at some point, and I’ve seen Reed and Sue go to the ends of the universe for their kids. But I digress. Cameron is entitled to his opinion, of course.
What do you think of Cameron’s comments? Do you think he has anything to gain by publically raking Marvel and DC over the coals? Can you provide examples of MCU or DCEU characters behaving like college graduates? I can. Lots. Please sound off in the comments and let us know what you think.