Meryl Streep criticizes ‘Marvel-ized’ films with simple good-vs-evil characters: ‘It’s so boring’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Meryl Streep believes the rise of superhero films has led to flatter character portrayals, where stories rely more on clearly defined heroes and villains instead of complex, morally layered and messy personalities.

The Oscar-winning actor shared her thoughts during an appearance on the 'Hits Radio' Show. She was joined by her 'The Devil Wears Prada' co-stars Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt. During the conversation, the host asked her about exploring a more vulnerable side of Miranda Priestly in the film.

Meryl Streep says newer films miss the ‘human’ element 

Streep suggested that many movies now rely on clearly defined heroes and villains, rather than exploring more layered and realistic personalities. “I feel like you get a realistic view,” Streep replied. “I think we tend to Marvel-ize the movies now. We got the villains, and we got the good guys, and it’s so boring.”

She went on to highlight that what makes stories truly engaging is their reflection of real life, where people are rarely one-dimensional. Instead, she appreciates narratives that embrace complexity and moral ambiguity.

Continued Streep, “What’s really interesting about life is that some of the heroes are flawed and some of the villains are human and interesting and have their own strengths. So that’s what I like about this (movie). It’s messier.”

Meanwhile, Hathaway shared her own experience reading early drafts of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' script, recalling how her perception changed as she moved from one version to another. She noted that what initially felt polished soon revealed a more layered and unexpected tone.

“The first one arrived and I’m like, ‘That’s so nice and so professional,'” Hathaway recalled. “And then the second one arrived and I’m like, ‘Oh no.’ So I just want to warn you: If you think you’re getting away with something, you might be revealing yourself. It was hilarious.”

Meryl Streep doubled her fee for the sequel

Streep recently revealed that she landed a significantly higher paycheck for a  'The Devil Wears Prada 2' sequel after first turning down the initial offer to reprise her iconic role. The Hollywood icon explained that she recognized the film’s potential success and decided to negotiate on her own terms, which ultimately paid off.

“They called me up, and they made an offer, and I said, ‘No, not going to do it,’” Streep said during a cast interview with Today. “I knew it was going to be a hit, and I wanted to see if I doubled my ask... and they went right away and said, ‘Sure.’ I thought, I’m 50-60 (years old) - it took me this long to understand that I could do that! They needed me, I felt. I was ready to retire. That was a lesson.”