Ed Sheeran’s Favourite Star Wars & Batman Movies May Upset You | Sorry Not Sorry
Ed Sheeran is one of the UK’s biggest exports. His music is adored by millions, he is besties with Taylor Swift, and he has even crossed over to movies and television with appearances in both Yesterday and Game of Thrones.
The musician even has a cameo in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker as a Stormtrooper. Somehow, though, despite being a part of the franchise, this is not the singer’s favourite Star Wars film; his choice is far more controversial.
WATCH - Ed Sheeran’s Favorite Star Wars and Batman Movies Are SCANDALOUS - YouTube
Speaking with JustWatch, Ed Sheerman admitted that out of all of the Star Wars movies, his absolute favourite is Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, an opinion that could find him cancelled in the Star Wars fandom.
It Was Love At First Watch For Ed Sheeran And The Phantom Menace
Sixteen years after the release of Return of the Jedi, in 1999, director George Lucas decided it was time to revisit that galaxy far, far away. Not seeing a way beyond Return of the Jedi’s ending, Lucas opted to go for the prequel route, deciding to tell the backstory of the villainous Darth Vader and his journey to the dark side. Those who had grown up on the original movies were beside themselves with excitement, but upon the release of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, their feelings changed. Audiences felt the film was aimed too much at children, and the introduction of alien ally Jar Jar Binks was viewed as torturous.
Whilst staunch fans were left perplexed by The Phantom Menace, a young Ed Sheeran was captivated. His reasons were similar to those who grew up on the originals: “Phantom Menace was the first proper Star Wars film that I saw.” As an entry point to the franchise and with no knowledge of the gravitas with which the original movies had been received, Sheeran saw past the elements that irked longstanding fans and appreciated it as the fun family film it was. Since that first viewing, Sheeran has caught up with the rest of the movies, but even this cannot sway him, mainly down to the emotions tied to that memory of his first time viewing, “you can’t take that feeling that I have from being a kid watching.”
George Clooney Stars In Ed Sheeran’s Favourite Batman Movie
Ed Sheeran’s controversial franchise takes, don’t stop with the Star Wars movies; he also has a wild card choice regarding the Batman films. For most Batman fans, it is Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the character that wins out. The original Batman and its sequel, Batman Returns, are often picked alongside both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. For Sheeran, though, his favourite Batman film is Batman & Robin, making George Clooney his favourite Batman.
Once again, Sheeran’s reasons for rating Batman & Robin higher than those entries that have been critically lauded go back to his childhood: “I was six when Batman & Robin came out, and it was exciting.” As with The Phantom Menace, Sheeran confirmed that Batman & Robin was his entry point to the character, “it was the first time I’d really seen Batman.” Whilst the overall opinion of Batman & Robin is that it pushes the camp levels to such an extreme that it almost becomes a Batman parody movie, Sheeran is adamant that the film is brilliant. During his defence of Batman & Robin, Sheeran got swept away listing its high points, “it was amazing! It’s Mr Freeze…there’s Poison Ivy, blah, blah, blah.” The musician could have gone on longer, but stopped himself.
The power of those first viewings can be exceptionally strong, and in the case of Sheeran’s selections, prove that sometimes love is blind. Importantly, Ed Sheeran is aware of just how controversial both of these films are within their respective fandoms, but remains undeterred in his belief. He concluded his discussion of both movies with finality as he bluntly revealed he doesn’t care what others think of his choices, “I don’t f***ing care. Batman & Robin for me is my favourite Batman film, and Phantom Menace is my favourite Star Wars film, and that’s just how I feel.”
Considering Ed Sheeran’s interesting choices with these two franchises, we’re keen to uncover what other often marginalised sequels and prequels the singer is willing to go into bat for. With the answers already given, the chances are high that he could be the one person who believes in Spider-Man 3, and who knows, maybe he’s also a Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 fan.
