They tend to hype these projects up to try and appeal to certain elements of the fanbase and go on and on about how “gritty” or “dark” the movies are, but usually, they’re only a little grittier or a little darker than other superhero movies that have come before, not grittier or darker than actual dramas or sci-fi movies critics might describe as “gritty” or “dark”.
Not to pick on any specific movie, but I think McFarlane’s larger frustration here isn’t necessarily with the end results as much as some of the things directors and producers say while films are being made.