James Cameron says that characters in Marvel and DC movies 'all act like they're in college' and 'that's not the way to make movies'

• "Avatar" director James Cameron called out Marvel and DC movies in an interview with The New York Times.
• "It doesn't matter how old the characters are, they all act like they're in college," Cameron said.

"Avatar" director James Cameron took a shot at Marvel and DC movies.

In an interview withThe New York Times published Tuesday, Cameron called out the two superhero franchises, saying that "all of their characters act like they're in college."

"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," Cameron said. "They have relationships, but they really don't."

Cameron was responding to a question about whether having children changed how he takes risks in life.

"They never hang up their spurs because of their kids," Cameron added, regarding Marvel and DC characters. "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."

Cameron isn't the first high-profile filmmaker to criticize superhero movies in recent years, as they dominated the box office.

Notably, Martin Scorsese said in 2019 that Marvel movies aren't "cinema" and compared them to theme parks. He later wrote a Times op-ed elaborating on his comments.

"Many of them are well made by teams of talented individuals," Scorsese wrote. "All the same, they lack something essential to cinema: the unifying vision of an individual artist."

"Avatar: The Way of Water," the long-awaited sequel, is one of the few non-superhero properties expected to drive significant business at the box office this year after it opens in December. The first movie is the biggest film of all time, with nearly $3 billion in total global gross.