Nicolas Cage Says MCU Is Becoming a ‘Well-Funded and Glorified WWE’

DALLAS — Nicolas Cage’s recent criticism of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is drawing attention online, with some social media users agreeing with the Oscar-winning actor while others have questioned the comments given his own history with superhero productions.

Speaking at Fan Expo Dallas, Cage offered his assessment of the MCU while emphasizing that his remarks came from a place of affection.

“I do say this with love,” Cage said at the convention. “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 is not part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, although he recently portrayed the title character in Sony’s Marvel series “Spider-Noir.” The series was canceled after one season of eight episodes. Cage also played Marvel superhero Ghost Rider in “Ghost Rider” in 2007 and “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” in 2012. The comic book character is now officially being brought into the MCU with Ryan Gosling. “Ghost Rider,” directed by Shawn Levy, is scheduled for release July 28, 2028.

“Spider-Noir” was based on Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man Noir and adapted for television by Oren Uziel. The series was set during the Great Depression and featured Cage as Ben Reilly, described as a seasoned private investigator struggling in 1930s New York who is forced to confront his previous life after experiencing a deeply personal tragedy. He is also the city’s only superhero.

Before “Spider-Noir” premiered, Cage told Variety that the superhero origins of the project were not what initially attracted him. Instead, he was interested in its black-and-white presentation and its approach as a classic film noir, incorporating elements of German expressionism.

“I wanted to try to create an essence of some of my favourite old-world actors because I wanted to embody that style — Bogart, Cagney, Edward G. Robinson — and designed my performance to fit within the black-and-white format,” Cage said. He also acknowledged that making a television series initially made him nervous.

“It was scary, and it was risky,” he said. “I was constantly worried that I was going to get fired, because I was doing this thing of channelling old actors and colliding it with Stan Lee’s masterpiece that is ‘Spider-Man’ to create this Roy Lichtenstein pop-art sensation of sorts. I didn’t know until I finally saw the eight episodes whether it was going to work.”