There are a couple of things that become very obvious if you follow writer-producer Kurt Sutter. The man behind some of the best episodes of “The Shield” and the creator of “Sons of Anarchy,” as well as co-creator of its spin-off “Mayans MC,” is someone that will have no problem depicting brutal violence on screen. And Sutter is also not the type that will bite his tongue if he thinks that he’s being unfairly targeted or attacked.
While speaking at FX’s recent TCA panel (via Deadline), Sutter talked about the violence in his show “Mayans MC” and how it might come under attack due to the recent shootings that seemingly happen more and more often in the US. While the producer isn’t ashamed of the violence or afraid to defend it, he is also ready to point out the hypocrisy he sees with how the media and fans react to films featuring superheroes.
“This is a world that has the language of violence. We’re exploring these damaged characters in this dark world…Creatively it’s our job to tell human truth through fiction,” said Sutter. “The truth of violence is that it’s never gratuitous. It’s not pretty, not sexy and it always has consequences. Violence shatters humanity and that’s my job – to put it in story.”
He added, “Every superhero movie is loaded top to bottom with violence. But because it’s done with lazers and by pretty white people in tights, it’s OK. That shit’s more irresponsible.”
Of course, the topic of violence in TV and films has come up once again in light of the two mass shootings that occurred in Texas and Ohio over the weekend. It would appear from early reports that both men that committed these heinous acts are US citizens that had legal access to high-powered rifles. As Sutter went on to say, he feels that his series is an “easy target” because of the way it depicts the violence on-screen in a much more realistic way, which can seem akin to what is happening in our own communities.
“Mayans MC” Season 2 is set to premiere on FX on September 3.