Roland Emmerich Thinks Marvel Movies Are ‘Silly’

Part of what makes the moviegoing experience so great is that we all interpret things differently. For instance, you might think giant alien spaceships blowing up landmarks while the fate of humanity rests in the hands of Jeff Goldblum is silly, or maybe, if you’re like disasterpiece director Roland Emmerich, you think the whole concept of superheroes is absurd. And you’re entitled to feel that way, but that’s just, like, your opinion, man.

Yes, Roland Emmerich, director of blockbuster disaster epics like 2012, Independence Day and the upcoming Independence Day: Resurgence, thinks Marvel movies are “silly.” Here’s how he explained it to The Guardian:

When you look at my movies it’s always the regular Joe Schmo that’s the unlikely hero. A lot of Marvel movies, they show people in funny suits running around. I don’t like people in capes. I find it silly when someone dons a superhero suit and flies. I don’t understand it. I grew up in Germany, that’s probably why.

There’s so much to unpack here. First of all, he’s right: You'd never expect Jeff Goldblum or Brent Spiner to save the day, but they do, and it’s part of what makes Emmerich’s ID movies so fun to watch despite their flaws. Where else are you going to see Goldblum in a space suit fighting aliens? But that brings us to that “people in funny suits running around” thing — a space suit isn’t funny, but when you put Goldblum in one, it’s kind of hilarious.

And then there’s Emmerich’s final comment, in which he blames his upbringing in Germany for his disinterest in superhero films. I don’t know if you’re familiar with pop culture in Germany, but they aren’t exactly exempt from this whole “silly” thing.

Really, it’s fine if Emmerich — or anyone — doesn’t like Marvel movies, but it’s pretty funny to read comments like these from the guy who directed that ridiculously awful Godzilla movie from 1998, which was Peak Silly.