US actor Jared Leto has insisted people should be "thankful" for Marvel movies after recently causing a stir for saying the comic book films are keeping cinemas open.
Speaking at a preview of Apple TV's Wecrashed, Leto said: "If it wasn't for Marvel films, I don't even know if theatres would exist. It doesn't seem like there's room for everyone, and that starts to become a little heartbreaking.
"I also have gratitude for these movies because they're keeping cinema alive."
The My So Called Life actor caused consternation with his comments but backed them up this week, telling Entertainment Tonight in the US: "But I would say it again. I mean, are people upset with it? Do they agree with it? What are they, confused about it?
"If you look at the box office and what people are buying tickets for, I worked at movie theater as a kid, OK, and I'm talking about what's actually generating revenue to keep the buildings open and the people employed and the ecosystem thriving.
"[Marvel movies] are probably the biggest generators of revenue. So, in a sense, we should be thankful.
"Especially those of us who are big fans of cinema and theaters, we should be thankful that these films even exist.
"Because they help support the ecosystem, so that other films that are adult dramas, like House of Gucci, have theatres they can actually be in. That's my point. Maybe that was lost in translation, but it seems it's pretty hard to argue with that.
"I mean, I think it's a sacred thing, cinema. And it's a beautiful thing. It changed my life."
