Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Nicolas Cage criticizes MCU’s action-heavy shift toward spectacle
Nicolas Cage thinks the Marvel Cinematic Universe used to tell more interesting stories about its characters.
He especially liked how early movies connected different heroes and their backgrounds.
He now feels many Marvel movies spend too much time building toward giant fights.
Cage compared this style to a very expensive version of WWE.
He said he made the comment with affection for the franchise.
Cage has played Marvel-related characters, including Ghost Rider.
His recent series Spider-Noir was cancelled after one season.
Marvel is also planning a new Ghost Rider movie and Avengers: Doomsday.
Nicolas Cage said the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with strong, character-driven stories.
He argued that the franchise now focuses too heavily on large battles and spectacle.
Cage compared the MCU to a “well-funded and glorified WWE,” while saying he made the criticism with affection.
Cage recently starred in Sony’s eight-episode Marvel series Spider-Noir, which was cancelled after one season.
Marvel is planning a new Ghost Rider film starring Ryan Gosling, scheduled for July 28, 2028.
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for December 18 as part of the MCU’s Phase Six.
- Who
- Actor-filmmaker Nicolas Cage discussed the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- What
- Cage criticized the MCU’s increasing emphasis on action, costumes, battles and spectacle over character-driven storytelling.
- When
- Cage made the comments while speaking at Fan Expo Dallas; the article does not give the event date.
- Where
- Fan Expo Dallas.
- Why
- Cage believes the MCU has moved away from the character stories and interconnected narratives that initially appealed to him.
- Speaker
- Nicolas Cage
- Subject
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s creative direction
- Cage’s comparison
- A “well-funded and glorified WWE”
- Related Cage role
- Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider in Ghost Rider (2007) and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012)
- Recent Marvel series
- Spider-Noir, cancelled after one eight-episode season
- New Ghost Rider film
- Ryan Gosling is set to lead Shawn Levy’s film, scheduled for July 28, 2028
- Upcoming Avengers film
- Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for December 18 as part of Phase Six