Independence Day Director Criticizes Marvel Movies, Talks About Gaming's Impact on Film

Independence Day director Roland Emmerich has spoken up to talk about how he's no fan of Marvel's superhero movies and how he sees the gaming industry impacting the world of film.

In an interview with The Guardian, Emmerich, who also directed this week's Independence Day: Resurgence, said he thinks Marvel's superhero movies are "silly."

"When you look at my movies it's always the regular Joe Schmo that's the unlikely hero," he explained. "A lot of Marvel movies, they show people in funny suits running around. I don't like people in capes. I find it silly when someone dons a superhero suit and flies. I don't understand it. I grew up in Germany, that's probably why."

Also in the interview, Emmerich talked about the state of the film business and how it's dominated by the big players and little guys--not much is left in the middle.

"It's a little bit like what happens in every other industry," he said. "When you look at the clothing industry, where are the little boutiques? Yeah, they are still there but in very small numbers. Everything else is big franchises, like Gap. Every fashion brand has to become a franchise or they will not survive.”

"At some point, it could collapse," he added, though he said he's "doubtful" this will happen.

Emmerich also mentioned how gaming has "eaten away so much" of the young male demographic for film, which might be hurting box office results. At the end of the day, the director said he thinks only "big tentpole" movies and Oscar-hopefuls will dominate theaters.

"I think what will happen is that we will have other forms of entertainment," he said. "Virtual reality will be absolutely big. The gaming industry has already eaten away so much of the young male audience. In movies, it's only going to be the big tentpole pictures and hopefully some good pictures for the Oscars and that's it, that's all you'll get."

Moving back to the subject of Independence Day: Resurgence specifically, Emmerich said the movie ends with a tease for a third film in the series. While no such project has been announced or is in the works at this time, Emmerich said Independence Day: Resurgence is "set up for it."

"These movies always have to be franchisable," he added. "This one sets up the young generation. At the end of the movie, there's a little kick that says maybe [an alien attack] could happen again. But I'm not even thinking about it…"

You can read the full Guardian interview here.

Independence Day: Resurgence opens on June 24.