While promoting The Devil Wears Prada 2, actress Meryl Streep called out Marvel for making new movies “so boring.”
Fans of Iron Man, Thor, and the rest of the Avengers may take issue with her claim. Marvel films, and superhero movies in general, thrive on being cinematic spectacles. However, it is not explosions, fights, or multi-universal crises that Streep is referring to, but the fundamental core of the genre itself.
Streep’s Comments on Marvel and Character Complexity
Meryl Streep called Marvel films boring on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show while seated beside her Devil Wears Prada 2 co-stars Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt. Some critics have argued that the long-awaited sequel suffers from making significant changes to Streep’s character.
Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada 2 – 20th Century Studios, YouTube
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In his review, Christian Toto wrote that the film “struggles to find its purpose and commits a near-unforgivable sin with Meryl Streep’s iconic character, the scene-swiping Miranda Priestly. This Miranda is too nice. It’s like making Darth Vader cuddly or Hannibal Lecter fond of puppies.”
Streep appears to feel that the changes add nuance to what otherwise might be a one-note character. “I feel like in this film, we get to see a lot more of Miranda Priestly’s softer side,” she said, later adding, “I feel like you get a realistic view.” Many may agree that, in real life, people are multifaceted. Yet Streep did not restrict her comments to dramas and comedies like her new film.
Steve Rogers Captain America wields Mjolnir in Avengers: Endgame – Disney+
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“I think we tend to Marvel-ize the movies now. We got the villains and we got the good guys, and it’s so boring,” Meryl Streep said. “What’s really interesting about life is that some of the heroes are flawed and some of the villains are human and interesting and have their own strengths. So that’s what I like about this [movie]. It’s messier.”
The debate over morally gray characters will continue for some time. However, Streep isn’t alone in her estimation of the genre.
Hollywood’s Longstanding Superhero Debate
Other major Hollywood figures have long criticized the superhero genre’s effect on the industry. Martin Scorsese famously said superhero movies are “not cinema” and are instead “theme parks.” Francis Ford Coppola said they are “despicable.” And Ridley Scott has also called them boring.
Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day – Sony, YouTube
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However, Meryl Streep calling out Marvel specifically for making movies “so boring” may be poorly timed. Since 20th Century Studios—the production company behind the first Devil Wears Prada film—was acquired by Disney, both her new film and Marvel are technically under the same banner. As Disney prepares to market its extremely expensive Avengers: Doomsday later this year, it may not appreciate one of its stars attempting to diminish the film’s appeal.
A Familiar Debate Over Genre and Storytelling
Whether superhero films have truly flattened storytelling into a “good vs. evil” formula remains a point of debate among filmmakers and audiences alike. While critics of the genre argue for greater moral complexity, attempts to introduce ambiguity into superhero narratives have often produced uneven results.
Ultimately, Streep’s critique is unlikely to sway fans. The clear-cut heroes and villains of comic book mythology remain a core part of the genre’s enduring appeal for many viewers. And if anything, attempts at cultural gatekeeping may only reinforce why audiences continue to gravitate toward these stories in the first place.
Do you agree with Meryl Streep that Marvel has made movies boring? Let us know in the comments!
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