Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind TV hits like Yellowstone and Landman, has never been one to mince words—especially when it comes to storytelling. In a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, the Oscar-nominated writer and director took aim at Marvel movies, accusing them of relying on lazy writing tactics that undermine the basics of narrative craft.
Sheridan, who recently left Paramount for a new deal with NBCUniversal, didn't hold back. He described Marvel films as filled with “information dumps that you have to follow to get to the action rather than actually moving the plot with action.” For Sheridan, this approach is a shortcut that many writers have adopted because they can't figure out their own stories.
“I knew when I started writing [I wanted] to simply not do what everyone else was doing,” Sheridan said. “What everyone else was doing was taking shortcuts, essentially breaking all the very basic fundamental rules of storytelling, because they couldn’t figure out their story.”
Sheridan emphasized that film is a visual medium. “With a movie, you’re supposed to show me what’s happening. The camera is supposed to move the story. The dialogue is supposed to tell me how the people in this world feel about what’s happening or what they hope to do or what they wish they hadn’t done or had done,” he explained.
This isn't the first time a prominent filmmaker has criticized the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Several directors have voiced similar frustrations about the franchise's formulaic structure. Sheridan's comments add to a growing chorus of voices questioning whether blockbuster filmmaking has sacrificed storytelling for spectacle.
Sheridan's own work, from the gritty drama of Yellowstone to the crime saga Tulsa King, is known for its character-driven plots and minimal exposition. He prides himself on a solitary writing process that rejects studio interference—a stark contrast to the collaborative, note-heavy environment typical of Marvel productions.
While Marvel movies continue to dominate the box office, Sheridan's critique highlights a divide between traditional storytelling and modern franchise filmmaking. For fans of tightly plotted mysteries or epic films that prioritize narrative, his words may ring true.
As Sheridan moves forward with his NBCUniversal deal, he remains committed to his vision. “The dialogue is supposed to tell me how the people in this world feel,” he said, underscoring his belief that every line should serve character and story—not just set up the next explosion.
