Nicole Kidman Takes a Subtle Jab at Martin Scorsese’s Male-Centric Films
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Nicole Kidman recently made a pointed comment about Hollywood’s male-centered storytelling, directing her words at legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese. In a new interview with Vanity Fair, the Stoker actress was asked if there was any iconic director she still wished to work with at this stage in her career. Kidman replied candidly, “I’ve always said I want to work with Martin Scorsese if he does a film with women.”
Scorsese, renowned for his acclaimed films like Goodfellas and Raging Bull, has faced criticism in the past for his male-dominated narratives and limited focus on female characters. While the director has created iconic roles, he has often highlighted the lives and worlds of men. Addressing his male-heavy storytelling in a 1991 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Scorsese admitted.
“The movies I’m dealing with have often been about men’s worlds, where the women seem to be adjuncts.” He explained further, “I think the women in Goodfellas and Raging Bull are very strong. But they’re not in the ring,” emphasizing his approach to staying true to the societal settings of his stories.
Scorsese also argued that he prefers authenticity over adjusting roles simply to meet certain expectations, saying, “I don’t think it’s right to overbalance it just for the sake of trying to be politically correct.”
In her interview, Kidman also expressed excitement about working with other prominent directors, including Kathryn Bigelow, Spike Jonze, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Michael Haneke. She praised the influx of emerging talent in Hollywood, adding, “There’s a whole slew of new up-and-coming directors—there’s so many, and I’m always open to the discovery of new people.”
Kidman’s remark highlights an ongoing conversation about diversity and representation in storytelling, especially in the works of celebrated directors like Scorsese. Her subtle jab underscores a growing call for more complex female-driven narratives in Hollywood, even from its most revered filmmakers.
