Samuel L. Jackson expressed strong disapproval of Quentin Tarantino’s recent comments suggesting that Marvel actors “aren’t movie stars,” particularly given Jackson’s own role as a Marvel actor.

Tarantino ignited a significant debate when he criticized the Marvel Cinematic Universe, stating that while he doesn’t harbor any hatred for the studio, he was frustrated that their films dominate modern Hollywood.

Simu Liu, who starred in the Marvel hit Shang-Chi, was among those who challenged Tarantino’s views, and now Jackson has weighed in. At 73, Jackson, a longtime collaborator with Tarantino on films like Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, and Django Unchained, responded to the director’s remarks on The View. He emphasized the star power of actors like Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed Black Panther, asserting, “You can’t refute that, and he’s a movie star.”

Jackson pointed out that true movie stardom has always been about attracting audiences, saying, “What are we talking about? That’s not a big controversy for me to know that these actors are indeed movie stars.” His comments highlighted Boseman’s powerful portrayal of King T’Challa in Black Panther, a film that grossed nearly $1.4 billion worldwide.

Earlier this month, Tarantino shared his thoughts on the podcast 2 Bears 1 Cave, claiming that while actors may gain fame from their superhero roles, they aren’t movie stars in the traditional sense. “Captain America is the star, or Thor is the star,” he noted, suggesting that franchise characters overshadow the actors.

In response to Tarantino’s remarks on Twitter, Liu stated, “If the only gatekeepers to movie stardom came from Tarantino and Scorsese, I would never have had the opportunity to lead a $400 million movie.” He acknowledged their filmmaking prowess but insisted they shouldn’t dismiss others’ contributions. Liu also expressed pride in working with a studio that strives to enhance diversity on screen by creating empowering heroes for all communities.