Nicolas Cage Just Called The MCU A "Glorified WWE" — And The Internet Immediately Brought Up Ghost Rider

Stop scrolling, because Nicolas Cage has entered the superhero discourse — and he did NOT come to play nice. Well, he says it was "with love." Sure.

The Quote Heard Round The Fandom

Speaking at Fan Expo Dallas, Cage took aim at the Marvel Cinematic Universe, according to Variety, which picked up the remarks via The Playlist.

His words: "When I see these 50-plus and otherwise intelligent and remarkably gifted thespians putting on these ridiculous outfits and getting ready for the fight — let's face it, it's all cutting to the fight — it's hard for me not to be reminded that the MCU is becoming a well-funded and glorified WWE."

He prefaced it with "I do say this with love." Reader, the love is doing some HEAVY lifting. 🎤

The Internet Had THOUGHTS

Per Variety, the clip is gaining traction on social media, with people split between "he's not wrong" and "hang on, aren't YOU a superhero guy?"

And honestly, that second camp has receipts.

Wait, Hasn't Cage Been In Marvel Stuff?

Yes! Variety points out a few things:

• Cage isn't part of the MCU proper, but he just starred as the title character in Sony's Marvel series "Spider-Noir", which was canceled after one eight-episode season.
• He played Marvel's Ghost Rider in two movies, in 2007 and 2012.
• Ghost Rider is now officially joining the MCU via Ryan Gosling, in a Shawn Levy-directed film on the calendar for July 28, 2028.

So he's critiquing a universe whose characters he's actually played. We're just reporting the facts, no further comment. 👀

The Noir Defense

To be fair to Cage, he's been clear about why he did "Spider-Noir." Speaking to Variety before the premiere, he said he was drawn to it not for the superhero angle but because it was being designed in black and white like a classic film noir.

He said he wanted to channel old-school actors like Bogart, Cagney and Edward G. Robinson, and described the mix as a "Roy Lichtenstein pop-art sensation of sorts." He also admitted the TV leap was "scary" and "risky" and that he worried he'd get fired. Very on-brand.

The Tea ☕

• Cage told a Fan Expo Dallas crowd the MCU is becoming a "glorified WWE."
• The internet is divided between agreeing and pointing at his own Marvel résumé.
• Cage's Ghost Rider is about to be rebooted in the MCU with Ryan Gosling. The timing is, uh, something.

Is Cage right that the MCU has become all about "cutting to the fight," or is this the pot calling the superhero kettle black-and-white? Team Cage or Team Marvel — sound off below.

Sources:

• Variety (citing The Playlist)