Steven Spielberg said in a recent interview that “we were around when the Western died, and there will be a time when the superhero movie goes the way of the Western.”
Mike Cavna of The Washington Post responded:
“In some corners of the fanboy world, there is gnashing of teeth and rending of cosplay garments when Spielberg seems to be signaling the demise of the superhero trend, no matter how distant his horizon line for such change may be.
“But given the degree to which WB/DC and Disney/Marvel are absolutely packing their dockets with superhero films through decade’s end (with Sony and Fox also in the mix), it’s a bit silly to think there won’t be commercial disappointments along the way.”
Cavna’s objection to Spielberg’s scenario: “You don’t need to hear spurs to know you’re watching a Western. A ‘classic’ Western — even one of more recent vintage like ‘Unforgiven’ or the Coen Bros’s ‘True Grit’ remake or Tarantino’s ‘Django Unchained’ — does allow for the sound design of whirring six-shooters and the fast slap of leather chaps. … Whether your hero is Glenn Ford or Harrison Ford, the cinematic beats of the Western cross into a long, winding trail of genre hybrids.”
How are others reacting?
Steven Spielberg says superhero movies will go the way of Westerns. We’re skeptical: http://t.co/esKiRQB7C2 pic.twitter.com/aEsIQVcJDE
— Esquire Magazine (@esquire) September 3, 2015
Why Steven Spielberg is wrong in his prediction about superhero movies http://t.co/GF57rivjvJ pic.twitter.com/Slv3mRGF1h
— Film School Rejects (@rejectnation) September 3, 2015
Tired of Batman?! Impossible! #iambatman http://t.co/bTsCi8XoLt
— John Legere (@JohnLegere) September 3, 2015
I’m an optimist so when Spielberg says superhero movies will go the way of the western I think “The Coen Bros will make a superhero movie”.
— Brian Collins (@BrianWCollins) September 2, 2015
Spielberg’s probably right & the superhero genre will go the way of the Western. But the Western had a run of well over 40 years.
— Calum Chalmers (@Calchal) September 2, 2015