Neither Marvel nor the Russo Brothers were able to accept their own failures. This led them back to each other.
Despite any criticism, it cannot be denied that the Russos have directed four of the greatest MCU movies, culminating in the consecutive cultural phenomenon of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
Despite the challenge of juggling plot threads from a decade-long back-catalogue and creating two coherent blockbusters, they made it look effortless. They also managed to create iconic moments, such as Cap grabbing Mjolnir, that will be remembered in cinemas for eternity. No one can diminish their achievements.
However, what sets this duo apart from filmmakers such as Sam Raimi and James Gunn is their reliance on the Marvel machine. They are skilled at utilizing the resources provided to them and excel at following instructions, which is why Kevin Feige is eager to have them return. They can be likened to boys with toys, who thrive within the framework of the Marvel universe.
Marvel and the Russo Brothers: An Inseparable Partnership
According to a report by Deadline, the Russo brothers are in talks to direct Avengers 5, Secret Wars, and provide consultation for various aspects of the MCU.
In 2022, Feige announced that they would not be involved in the upcoming Avengers movies, while the Russos stated that they would not be able to work with Marvel until the end of the decade (although they have consistently expressed their enthusiasm for Secret Wars).
Despite the potential success of Deadpool and Wolverine, the MCU has faced a sharp decline in the past five years, with both sides struggling. Box office numbers have decreased, Rotten Tomatoes ratings have fallen, and the constant expansion on Disney Plus has diminished the excitement surrounding new releases.
After 2019, the Russos’ career included directing Cherry (considered bad) and The Gray Man (regarded as abysmal). They also produced Citadel, a forgettable series with a plot centered around amnesia, Extraction (which was well-received), and Everything Everywhere All at Once (widely praised as brilliant).
Despite not having Papa Feige’s guidance, they have not yet been able to create a watchable film on their own. This does not bode well for their upcoming project, The Electric State, a $300 million sci-fi movie for Netflix (which is $100 million more expensive than The Gray Man, causing nausea for some).
The individuals responsible for creating content under Marvel’s umbrella are known for their collaborative nature rather than imposing their own ideas. They feel more at ease working within the confines of Marvel’s creative framework rather than having to come up with completely original concepts. This environment is not typically conducive for auteur filmmakers to showcase their talents, and this applies to the audience as well. For instance, when director Sam Raimi incorporated flying musical notes in Doctor Strange 2, it was met with disapproval from some viewers.
Despite a few exceptions, such as the success of Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies and Coogler’s unique take on Black Panther, the Russo Brothers stand out for their lack of flashy visual effects and absence of distinct personalities in their work. This may be what appeals to you about them.
Despite their many successes, it’s important to remember that they have also made a few mistakes over the years. For example, they once argued that theaters were only for the elite, and they claimed that the muted color palette in Captain America: Civil War was deliberately chosen to reflect the characters’ moral ambiguity (which is hard to believe). Additionally, Joe Russo even supported the idea of movies created entirely by artificial intelligence.
As project managers, they have been transported into a world that requires dedicated soldiers to successfully deliver a project. However, it is difficult to feel enthusiastic about their dependability, especially since they are regarded as two of the most unimpressive directors currently in the industry.
Despite being the director of the greatest superhero film ever made, Raimi was present when the topic arose. He expressed his desire to be asked for the project in April. It is uncertain if he was ever approached, but I highly doubt it. Even if Marvel had considered it, their tendency towards playing it safe would prevent them from taking any risks.
Feige requires the assistance of his Gray Men to construct it, and as a result, the billions of dollars will materialize.
Prior to its release in cinemas, discover the first 40 minutes of Deadpool & Wolverine, the likely cast for Lady Deadpool, and explore other newly released movies available for streaming.
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