James Cameron is the latest director to speak out against the mega-successful superhero genre, as he claims the characters lack depth. Cameron is the filmmaker behind some highly successful projects, including The Terminator, Aliens, Titanic, and Avatar. The sequel 13 years in the making is set for release later this year, with Avatar: The Way of Water arriving in December.

During an interview with The New York Times, Cameron voiced his displeasure with the characters’ immaturity in the long-running DCEU and MCU franchises, saying, “they all act like they’re in college.”

Of course, many comic book fans feel differently as audiences have grown to love the various characters spread throughout the superhero franchises. Robert Downey Jr. gave an excellent portrayal of Iron Man over his 10-year presence, while fans adore Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman. However, it’s hard to disagree with Cameron’s reasoning as he’s presented fans with some of the most beloved films of the past four decades.

“I also want to do the thing that other people aren’t doing. When I look at these big spectacular films — I’m looking at you, Marvel and DC — it doesn’t matter how old the characters are, they all act like they’re in college. They have relationships, but they really don’t. They never hang up their spurs because of their kids. The things that really ground us and give us power, love, and a purpose? Those characters don’t experience it, and I think that’s not the way to make movies.”

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Cameron Shares a Big Difference Between Avatar and the Upcoming Sequel

     20th Century Studios

James Cameron believes becoming a parent significantly changes the characters he works with, which is exactly what he intends to do with Avatar: The Way of Water. Over the 15 years of events that occur within the time of Avatar and the upcoming sequel, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) have started a family, which allows the characters to stop feeling invincible, or as Cameron puts it, like they’re “in college.” Cameron tells The New York Times he thought of his own family and children when he imagined the maturity of his Avatar characters.

Audiences may be divided on who they feel has the better characters, whether it be Marvel and DC or the expanding Avatar universe. However, fans will likely turn out in droves for the highly anticipated sequel. Avatar: The Way of Water is set for release later this year, arriving in theaters on Dec. 16.

“And Zoe and Sam now play parents, 15 years later. In the first movie, Sam’s character leaps off his flying creature and essentially changes the course of history as a result of this crazy, almost suicidal leap of faith. And Zoe’s character leaps off a limb and assumes there’s going to be some big nice leaves down there that can cushion her fall. But when you’re a parent, you don’t think that way. So for me, as a parent of five kids, I’m saying ‘What happens when those characters mature and realize that they have a responsibility outside their own survival?’”