Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Despite praises of his forthcoming film, Irishmancelebrated director Martin Scorsese has found himself in hot water after some pretty bold comments. In an interview with Empire late last week, the filmmaker kicked off a global debate after saying, Marvel is “not cinema”, going as far as to say that he hadn’t seen the films. A brave move considering we all know how passionate its fans are – and A-list stars for that matter.

“I don’t see them. I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema,” Scorsese told the publication. “Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”

Naturally, James Gunn was one of the first to respond via Twitter.

“Martin Scorsese is one of my 5 favourite living filmmakers,” he published in a post. “I was outraged when people picketed The Last Temptation of Christ without having seen the film. I’m saddened that he’s now judging my films in the same way.” He continued in a second post, “That said, I will always love Scorsese, be grateful for his contribution to cinema, and can’t wait to see The Irishman.”

At the same time, Variety got in touch with Samuel L. Jackson, arguably the most prolific member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“I mean that’s like saying Bugs Bunny ain’t funny. Films are films. Everybody doesn’t like his stuff either,” Jackson told Variety‘s Angelique Jackson at the grand opening of Tyler Perry’s new studio in Atlanta, Ga. “Everybody’s got an opinion, so I mean it’s okay. Ain’t going to stop nobody from making movies.”

Once again, Twitter was sent into a frenzy and albeit hilarious, we suggest not going up against an army of passionate fans. Unless you’re like this guy. He has a point.

Stay tuned for any further developments.