Brian Cox slams ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ and the state of movies: ‘Hugh Jackman can do more’

Brian Cox next to a photo of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
Brian Cox slams the state of the cinema.

Logan Roy isn’t impressed.

Brian Cox, 78, is slamming the state of movies in the wake of Marvel’s dominance at the box office with “Deadpool & Wolverine.”

The “Succession” star spoke at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland over the weekend, where he said that cinema is “in a very bad way,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

“What’s happened is that television is doing what cinema used to do. I think cinema is in a very bad way,” the Scottish actor stated.

“I think cinema is in a very bad way,” said Brian Cox. HBO
“I think cinema is in a very bad way,” said Brian Cox. HBO
“I think it’s lost its place because of, partly, the grandiose element between Marvel, DC and all of that,” said Brian Cox. ?Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
“I think it’s lost its place because of, partly, the grandiose element between Marvel, DC and all of that,” said Brian Cox. ?Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
“You know that Hugh Jackman can do a bit more,” said Brian Cox. Marvel / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
“You know that Hugh Jackman can do a bit more,” said Brian Cox. Marvel / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The Emmy-winning star added, “I think it’s lost its place because of, partly, the grandiose element between Marvel, DC and all of that. And I think it’s beginning to implode, actually. You’re kind of losing the plot.”

While movies like “Deadpool & Wolverine” earn “a lot of money” at the box office and “make everybody happy,” he said the work “becomes diluted afterwards. You’re getting the same old— I mean, I’ve done those kind of [projects].”

“Deadpool & Wolverine” is now the highest-grossing R-movie of all time, drawing in over $1 billion at the global box office.

Cox appeared in the “X-Men” franchise as the villain William Stryker in 2003’s “X2: X-Men United.” He also appeared in franchise projects such as 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” and the Jason Bourne franchise.

While Cox has participated in “this stuff,” as he said, he’s not impressed.

“It’s just become a party time for certain actors to do this stuff. When you know that Hugh Jackman can do a bit more, Ryan Reynolds… but it’s because they go down that road and it’s box office. They make a lot of money. You can’t knock it,” he stated.

Brian Cox in “X2: X-Men United.” ?20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Brian Cox in “X2: X-Men United.” ?20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Wolverine, who I created, but I’ve forgotten,” said Brian Cox. Dave Benett/Getty Images for BAFTA
“Wolverine, who I created, but I’ve forgotten,” said Brian Cox. Dave Benett/Getty Images for BAFTA
Brain Cox’s character technically “created” Wolverine, he pointed out. Marvel Studios via VancityReynolds/X
Brain Cox’s character technically “created” Wolverine, he pointed out. Marvel Studios via VancityReynolds/X

Cox is known for not pulling any punches with his words. He previously publicly slammed his “Succession” co-star and TV son Jeremy Strong’s method acting style.

In the “X-Men” franchise, Cox’s evil character, Stryker, gave Wolverine his adamantium skeleton and technically “created” Wolverine.

Cox joked that he “often” forgets this.

“Deadpool meets… Wolverine, who I created, but I’ve forgotten.”

Cox added, “Actually, when those films are on, there’s always a bit of me [as Stryker] and they never pay me any money.”