By tf-lawyer.com Glen Powell isn’t exactly diving into the multiverse anytime soon, and while that may seem unusual, it hasn’t seemed to harm the careers of big names like Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., or Chris Evans. Now, with Ford poised to join their ranks, the question arises: has Marvel effectively sidelined the traditional movie star?
This debate kicked off around 2019, when directors Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola voiced their disdain for superhero films, describing them as products of a corporate Hollywood. Quentin Tarantino later elaborated in 2022, stating that many Marvel stars might be virtually unknown without their superhero roles. “What’s happening is these actors have become famous playing these characters, but they’re not really movie stars,” he explained on the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast. “Captain America is the star, or Thor is the star… It’s the franchise characters that carry the weight.”
Recently, rumors have circulated that Powell, often viewed as a beacon of hope for a return to the era of the classic Hollywood heartthrob, is turning down Marvel roles for this very reason. While he could potentially shine as the new Johnny Storm/Human Torch – though Joseph Quinn has already landed that role – would such a move dilute his ability to headline mid-tier rom-coms opposite Sydney Sweeney with just a wink?
To get some insight, let’s turn to Harrison Ford, an actor whose charisma could light up a room even if he rolled out of bed grumbling at his toaster. Ford has a vested interest himself, having just been cast as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in the upcoming Marvel film, Captain America: Brave New World. Nevertheless, he expressed a clear perspective on the matter in an interview with GQ.
“I understand the appeal of different kinds of films beyond what we made in the ‘80s and ‘90s,” Ford said. “It would be silly to sit around regretting the change instead of participating. I’m involved in a part of the industry that’s, in my view, producing some pretty good experiences for audiences. I enjoy that.”
When it comes to the idea that Marvel has erased the traditional movie star, Ford dismissed it outright. “I don’t think the question is whether movie stars exist. There are incredible actors emerging every day… Whether they become movie stars isn’t the key issue. If films need stars, they will find them.”
Ford added, “I’ve never really understood the concept of being a movie star. I’m an actor. I’m here to tell stories. I’m part of a team that collaborates to craft narratives. I’m just an assistant storyteller.”
It’s perplexing that Powell might gain more star power from a cheesy modern adaptation of Shakespeare than from some of the highest-grossing films of recent times. After years of striving in Hollywood, marked by his breakthrough in Top Gun: Maverick, it’s clear Powell isn’t keen on disrupting what works for him. Could this hesitance explain why we never saw Tom Cruise, Powell’s co-star and rumored mentor, as an alternate reality Iron Man?
The prevailing theory casts a shadow over a cultural shift—fear that Marvel’s dominance in the film landscape could overshadow traditional roles and that those who step into this CGI realm may never simply return to being “just” actors.
However, Ford refutes this notion. Scarlett Johansson shone as Black Widow but delivered an even more star-studded performance as Midge Campbell in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City. Chris Evans showcased his versatility in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out, while Robert Downey Jr. garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer.
Conversely, actors like Chris Hemsworth and Brie Larson appear somewhat confined to their superhero identities, struggling to break free from the roles that initially made them stars. This raises the question: do audiences still crave stars like Powell and Cruise? The overwhelming success of Top Gun: Maverick suggests they do. Yet, if a movie star’s charisma falters under the weight of spandex and intergalactic escapades, maybe that star power wasn’t as strong as we believed.
