Nicolas Cage Says Marvel Films Are Becoming More About Fights Than Acting
Written by WorldOneFm on October 1, 2026
Nicolas Cage is sharing his thoughts on the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, saying the franchise sometimes appears to prioritize action sequences over dramatic performances.
During a panel at Fan Expo Dallas in September, the 62-year-old actor discussed the growing emphasis on superhero battles in Marvel productions.
“I do say this with love,” Cage said, according to The Playlist. He compared the MCU to a “well-funded and glorified WWE,” arguing that many films featuring talented actors ultimately focus heavily on preparing for and staging fight scenes.
Cage has his own history with Marvel. He played Johnny Blaze, also known as Ghost Rider, in 2007’s Ghost Rider and 2012’s Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Neither film was part of the MCU.
The Ghost Rider character is now set to officially join the MCU, with Ryan Gosling announced to take on the role. The upcoming film will be directed by Shawn Levy, who previously directed Deadpool & Wolverine and is also working with Gosling on the upcoming Star Wars film Starfighter.
Cage’s comments also come after the cancellation of his Prime Video series Spider-Noir after one season. In the series, Cage played Ben Reilly, a private investigator in 1930s New York with spider-like abilities.
The actor previously explained that he wanted to focus less on traditional superhero elements and more on the noir atmosphere and performance style. He said he drew inspiration from classic actors including James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson, combining their styles with the world created by Stan Lee.
Cage also voiced Spider-Man Noir in the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, although the character and the live-action Spider-Noir series are not connected to the animated franchise.
Cage will next appear in Madden, a biopic about legendary NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden. Meanwhile, Marvel Studios is preparing for the release of Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 18.
