Los Angeles: Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage believes the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has changed direction in recent years, becoming too focused on action and fight sequences.

Speaking at Fan Expo Dallas, the 62-year-old actor said he felt the MCU’s early films were particularly strong because of their storytelling and interconnected character arcs. He suggested that the franchise could benefit from returning to that approach.

Cage Compares MCU to ‘Glorified WWE’

Cage said that watching numerous talented actors in superhero costumes repeatedly prepare for fight sequences makes him feel that the MCU is becoming a “well-funded and glorified WWE.”

However, he clarified that his comments were made “with love” for the franchise.

‘Spider-Noir’ Inspired His View on Storytelling

Cage pointed to his work in ‘Spider-Noir’ as an example of the kind of storytelling he would like to see more often in superhero projects.

In the series, he plays Ben Reilly, a down-on-his-luck private investigator in 1930s New York. Cage said he particularly liked that the story was structured as a detective mystery rather than being built around constant action sequences.

The actor has previously been associated with Marvel through his role as Ghost Rider in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and its 2012 sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.