Russell Crowe calls out actors for their high expectations from superhero movies

The discourse around superhero movies has been as fiery as ever, especially recently as more actors have been criticizing their own films. Russell Crowe is the latest star to add to the discussion, but instead of dissing his roles, he’s turning it around and calling out the actors for their high expectations. And in usual Crowe fashion, he didn’t mince words one bit.

While speaking to GQ UK, the Gladiator star was asked about his experiences making superhero blockbusters, and how they may compare with Dakota Johnson’s, who has been open about her distaste with Madame Web. The interviewer brought up Johnson’s Bustle interview where she stated that huge superhero movies are like art that “does not do well when it’s made by committee.”

Crowe, who didn’t directly comment on Johnson, responded:

“I don’t want to make any comments to what anybody else might have said or what their experience is, but… you’re bringing out the impish quality of my humour,” he said. “You’re telling me you signed up for a Marvel movie, and some universe for cartoon characters... and you didn’t get enough pathos? Not quite sure how I can make this better for you.”

He continued, elaborating on the pathos topic and explaining that actors can't expect for these movies to be some “life-changing event.” He also stated that while he hasn’t had a bad experience with his roles, others can struggle with immersing themselves in the complex, fictional worlds that conglomerates like Marvel and DC are known for building.

As he put it: “It can be challenging, working in a blue-screen world, when you have to convince yourself of a lot more than just the internal machinations of your character.”

Even though Dakota Johnson is another star fans probably won't see in another superhero movie anytime soon, they can expect to watch Russell Crowe in Marvel’s Kraven the Hunter, who plays Nikolai Kravinoff, Kraven’s father.