Brian Cox says cinema is ‘in a very bad way’ and says Marvel films are to blame

'It’s just become a party time for certain actors to do this stuff'

The 72-year-old actor said that the industry's perceived downfall comes partly as a result of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as he claimed films were prioritising box office success over originality.

Cox, who has previously featured in a Marvel film as Colonel William Stryker in X2: X-Men United, made reference to the newly released Deadpool & Wolverine film which made £839m in the global box office in its first 23 days since release.

He described it as an example of cinematic “party time”, which he says is now causing Hollywood to lose “the plot”.

The Scottish actor spoke at the Edinburgh International Film Festival last Saturday (17 August).

He said: "What’s happened is that television is doing what cinema used to do. I think cinema is in a very bad way.

"I think it’s lost its place because of, partly, the grandiose element between Marvel, DC and all of that. And I think it’s beginning to implode, actually. You’re kind of losing the plot.”

Cox added: “You’re getting the same old… I mean, I’ve done those kind of [projects].”

The award-winning actor admitted that he "forgets" that it was his character William Stryker from X2: X-Men United that persuaded Logan to become Wolverine.

He said: "Deadpool meets the guy, Wolverine, who I created, but I’ve forgotten. Actually. When those films are on, there’s always a bit of me [as Stryker] and they never pay me any money."

Cox added: “So it’s just become a party time for certain actors to do this stuff. When you know that Hugh Jackman can do a bit more, Ryan Reynolds… but it’s because they go down that road and it’s box office. They make a lot of money. You can’t knock it.”

The third instalment in the Deadpool series, Deadpool & Wolverine, has faced mixed reviews since it came out, despite being a commercial success.

Wendy Ide from The Guardian described the film as "obnoxious and simultaneously very funny" giving the film three stars out of five.

Meanwhile, Louis Chilton of The Independent did not hold back calling it "a film that is about absolutely nothing. A film with no discernible purpose or artistic ambitions, beyond the perpetuation of its own corporate myth."

However general reception of the film has been good with a 78% Rotten Tomatoes score and an 8/10 rating on IMDb.

People took to social media to react to Cox's comments.

One user said: "I agree, it's time to hang the capes for a while."

While another person echoed this sentiment and said: "As someone who loved the old Marvel movies, I couldn't agree more. I don't watch these movies anymore."

However, some people hit back as one fan wrote: "Bit rich coming from William Stryker himself."

And another who said: "There are nicer ways to convey 'I didn't get called for a cameo'."

The film is the second highest grossing release of the year, only behind Pixar's animated offering, Inside Out 2.

Deadpool & Wolverine has now overtaken 2019's Joker to become the highest grossing R-rated film ever.