It seems like everyone involved with the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been unhappy with Martin Scorsese's comments about superhero films. However, Todd Phillips has just admitted that he understands why the legendary filmmaker made those comments. Interestingly, the Joker director says it had a lot to do with how he had to work on an anti-comic book movie.
Phillips was recently a part of The Hollywood Reporter's 2019 Director's Roundtable along with Scorsese and the Hangover director admitted that he somehow agreed with the Irishman director (via Comicbook.com).
"Marty got a lot of heat for [what he said], but I understand it fully," Phillips said. He then added that his opinion has a lot to do with his own experience while working on the Joaquin Phoenix movie.
"We were struggling to get Joker made, which sounds funny because it exists in the superhero world, but it's really not one of those movies," Phillips said. "We spent a year at Warner Bros., and I saw emails back and forth, literally, where they said, 'Does he realize we sell Joker pajamas at Target?' I go, 'Didn't movies come first and pajamas come second? Are the pajamas dictating the movies?' Theme park rides. Pajamas. Slurpee cups. Whatever it is that you are selling off the back of movies, you can't make your decisions based on that."
It's easy to understand what Phillips means. After all, Joker isn't exactly the type of film that would be easy to market to kids. Nevertheless, we're still glad that he stuck with it to the end.
Joker is currently nominated for four Golden Globes including Best Director for Phillips.
Related: Joker Director Todd Phillips Suggests Arthur Fleck Might Not be Real Clown Prince of Crime
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