Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has been almost universally panned by critics. Unfairly so? Not if you ask Jeremy Irons.

The response to DC and Marvel’s big ensemble superhero smackdown offerings this year have been polarized to the point of pastiche. While Captain America v Iron Man Captain America: Civil War has been universally lauded by fans and critics alike, Batman v Superman received… well, the opposite response.

Zack Snyder’s action epic has been under fire for bad pacing, lackluster character development and nonsensical action sequences (to name a few of its offenses), leaving fans uncertain about the future of the DC movieverse. Especially considering the fact that Snyder is returning to helm Justice League, Part 1.

Related: Ben Affleck signs on as executive producer of Justice League

While the actors have been side-stepping the critiques the best they can, one major cast member hasn’t been mincing his words when discussing the movie’s shortcomings.

Speaking to The Daily Mail (as quoted by Comic Book Movies), Jeremy Irons (Alfred) candidly says that the poor critical reception was deserved. “I mean it took £800 million, so the kicking didn’t matter but it was sort of overstuffed… It was very muddled. I think the next one will be simpler. The script is certainly a lot smaller, it’s more linear.”

Although his words on Justice League might be considered a form of damage control, his openness about Batman v Superman would lead us to think otherwise. It’s not often you see an actor so outspoken about his franchise, and Irons is already locked in for Justice League as well as Ben Affleck’s solo Batman movie.

We can only hope that he’s right about the two-part Justice League, because DC truly has the opportunity to make a pair of fantastic, memorable superhero ensemble films.

Has Batman v Superman left you worried about the future of the DC movie franchise?