Samuel L. Jackson Responded To Quentin Tarantino's MCU Diss, And It's A Valid Clapback

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When I think of Quentin Tarantino movies, I can't help but think of Samuel L. Jackson.

A closeup of Samuel

Tarantino is probably one of my favorite directors, but maybe it's only because Samuel L. Jackson is 100% my favorite actor of all time.

Bruce Glikas / Bruce Glikas / WireImage

The pair share a decades-long friendship and professional relationship. Sam has starred in six of the eight Tarantino-written and -directed projects.

He's Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction, Stephen in Django Unchained, Major Marquis Warren in The Hateful Eight, Ordell Robbie in Jackie Brown, Rufus in Kill Bill, and the narrator in Inglourious Basterds. He's even featured in True Romance, which was only written by Tarantino.

So, when Sam fired back at Tarantino's latest diss on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I was a little shocked.

  Mark Davis / Getty Images
Mark Davis / Getty Images

The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood director argued on the 2 Bears 1 Cave podcast that the MCU doesn't feature movie stars. That’s awkward, since his buddy Sam is one of the most featured actors in the MCU, having appeared in 11 MCU movies and counting.

Sam as Nick Fury sitting in a chair holding a gun
Jay Maidment / ©Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Co / Everett Collection

"Part of the Marvel-ization of Hollywood is you have all these actors who have become famous playing these characters," Tarantino said. "But they’re not movie stars."

  Picture Alliance / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
Picture Alliance / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

"Captain America is the star. Thor is the star. I’m not the first person to say that. I think that’s been said a zillion times, but it’s these franchise characters [who] become a star."

  Noam Galai / Getty Images
Noam Galai / Getty Images

In classic Sam Jackson fashion, he wasn't here for that mess, even if it came from the mouth of one of his greatest collaborators.

  Michael Tran / FilmMagic
Michael Tran / FilmMagic

Sam recently stopped by The View to promote his work on the Broadway production of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, directed by his wife, seasoned actor LaTanya Richardson.

  Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images
Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images

"It takes an actor to be those particular characters. The sign of movie stardom has always been, what, asses in seats? What are we talking about?" Sam questioned.

  Bryan Bedder / Variety via Getty Images
Bryan Bedder / Variety via Getty Images

"That’s not a big controversy for me to know that these actors are movie stars. Chadwick Boseman is Black Panther. You can’t refute that, and he’s a movie star."

PERIOD, pooh.

PERIOD, pooh.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Disney

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu also had a response to Quentin's remarks. "If the only gatekeepers to movie stardom came from Tarantino and Scorsese, I would never have had the opportunity to lead a $400 million plus movie."

His response was also to an infamous 2019 comment from director Martin Scorsese, who said that the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies are

"I am in awe of their filmmaking genius. They are transcendent auteurs," Simu said in a tweet, including, "I loved the 'Golden Age' too.. but it was white as hell."

It looks like if you're going to come for the MCU, be ready for a superhero to fight back.

  Chelsea Lauren / WireImage
Chelsea Lauren / WireImage