Brian Cox ain’t holding back on superhero flicks … saying guys like Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds are too talented for ’em — but, he can’t knock them for taking the cash.

The actor spoke at a panel for the Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland Saturday … and, he took a similar line to many Hollywood legends — saying cinema’s gone downhill in recent years, and Marvel’s at least partly to blame.

The way Cox puts it, the grandiose nature of the movies has led to a loss of plot … and, actors are treating it more like one big party than a real challenge.

Cox says he thinks “Hugh Jackman can do a bit more” and so can Ryan Reynolds … but, they choose not to because they’re getting paid a ton.

No knock on them for that, BC adds … so, he’s not saying Hugh and Ryan are doing anything necessarily wrong — just that they could be challenging themselves more.

Cox recognizes it’s weird he’s mentioning this since he’s done the whole superhero thing before … appearing alongside Jackman in “X2” way back in the day — but, adds even he forgets about that role pretty often.

Of course, Brian isn’t afraid to speak his mind … coming under fire multiple times this year for blasting fellow actor Joaquin Phoenix and slamming organized religion too — basically, Cox isn’t one to shy away from controversy.

Worth noting … ‘D&W’ has grossed over $1 billion worldwide already — so, Hugh and Ryan aren’t likely to listen to anything Cox has to say.