Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage offered a candid critique of the modern superhero landscape during a panel appearance at Fan Expo Dallas, arguing that recent Marvel Cinematic Universe releases have increasingly prioritized combat spectacle over foundational character development, likening the franchise to a “well-funded and glorified WWE”.
Reflecting on the evolution of comic-book cinema, Cage commended Marvel Studios’ initial phases, praising the foundational entries for weaving cohesive narrative arcs and grounding larger-than-life figures. However, the actor observed that recent blockbuster installments have shifted focus toward formulaic third-act brawls at the expense of dramatic storytelling.
“Lately—I do say this with love—when I see these 50-plus and otherwise intelligent and remarkably gifted thespians putting on these ridiculous outfits and getting ready for the fight—let’s face it, it’s all cutting to the fight—it’s hard for me not to be reminded that the MCU is becoming a well-funded and glorified WWE,” Cage remarked.
Cage contrasted that trend with his recent turn as private investigator Ben Reilly in Prime Video’s live-action series Spider-Noir, which was canceled after a single season. The Depression-era hardboiled detective drama focused primarily on procedural investigative mysteries rather than nonstop action set-pieces. “One of the things I liked about Spider-Noir was it wasn’t cut into the fight. It was a detective story,” Cage explained, emphasizing that he would prefer to see major studio productions refocus on complex character arcs rather than rushing into arena-style combat.
While Cage has never appeared in a Marvel Studios production, he maintains a long history with Marvel Comics adaptations, having headlined Sony Pictures’ Ghost Rider (2007) and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012) as Johnny Blaze, in addition to voicing Spider-Man Noir in Sony Pictures Animation’s Oscar-winning 2018 animated feature Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
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