Los Angeles, August 8, 2023 – In a recent appearance on Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast as part of his press tour for Netflix’s “The Out-Laws,” Adam Devine shared his perspective on the influence of Marvel movies on the classic Hollywood comedy genre. Devine expressed his belief that Marvel’s superhero films have had a negative impact on traditional comedy in the film industry.
Devine’s argument revolves around the observation that Marvel movies often incorporate substantial humor, citing examples such as “Ant-Man” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.” According to him, this reliance on humor has transformed superhero films into Hollywood’s default comedic offerings.
He stated, “When you watch comedies nowadays, you might find yourself thinking, ‘This isn’t really a comedy. Where are the jokes? Where are the comedic elements?’ While there are still some good comedy shows, making comedy movies has become a challenge. My theory is that Marvel played a part in this shift. Superhero movies have affected comedies because when you go to the theater, you expect to see a film that has a budget of $200 million or more, and comedies don’t typically fall into that category. So, why would I spend the same amount of money to watch a small-scale comedy in theaters when I can use that money to watch something with a production value of $200 million? Even though superhero movies incorporate humor, like the talking raccoon, it’s not the same as a genuine comedy.”
Devine pointed out that studios once released numerous comedies annually, contributing to a landscape where around 45 comedies could be found in theaters each year. However, he noted that the situation has drastically changed, stating, “Last year, there were like 6 or 7 comedies in theaters. It’s quite remarkable.”
Turning to his most recent project, “The Out-Laws,” produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison company, Devine shared that the film, featuring Pierce Brosnan, Nina Dobrev, and Ellen Barkin, is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Adam Devine’s critique reflects an ongoing conversation in the film industry about the impact of superhero films on other genres, particularly comedy. As the landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how studios and filmmakers will navigate these changes to maintain a diverse array of cinematic offerings.
