Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige have developed a strong track record of discovering hidden gems in the movie industry and turning them into Hollywood stars. From Tom Holland to Hiddleston, the studio has proven its ability to nurture talent, and arguably their biggest discovery came became the camera with the Russo Brothers. Coming from a sitcom background on Community, the duo got their first big break with 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier and have since gone on to direct Avengers: Endgame.
With two highly regarded Captain America flicks under their belt on top of the Infinity Saga's climactic Avengers installments, fans are eager to see what the Russo Brothers do next. Since their last stint with Marvel, the directing duo have reunited with Thor actor Chris Hemsworth for Netflix's action-thriller Extraction and Spider-Man's Tom Holland for the gritty crime drama Cherry.
As Phase 4 moves forward and speculation builds towards the inevitable Avengers 5, many are keen to know if the Russo Brothers will be coming back to the MCU, something one-half of the duo has now addressed.
Endgame Co-Director Responds to Avengers 5 Rumors
During the red carpet premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Phase Zero's Brandon Davis spoke to Avengers: Endgame director Joe Russo about his potential MCU return.
When asked if he and his brother/directing partner Anthony Russo are ready for a potential Secret Wars project, the record-breaking filmmaker confirmed he doesn't know the direction of the MCU's heroes, but it may happen "one of these days:"
"Eh, you know one of these days, we'll have to see how this all shakes out. I don't know what they're going to do with all these characters!"
In a follow-up question, the director was asked to comment on rumors that he and his brother are in talks with Marvel for another directing gig. After some hesitation, Russo revealed he "can't say one way or another" but would "work with them in a heartbeat:"
"Uh, you know we love those guys and I can't say one way or another. But I'd work with them in a heartbeat, best working experience of ours careers, they'll like family to us, and you know we love this material and we love the fans."
The Russo Brothers' Next MCU Project
The Russo Brothers certainly seem to be keeping the doors open to making a heroic return down the line and after directing four financially and critically successful MCU entries, there's no doubt Marvel Studios will be eager to keep talks going. But what's much harder to determine is what MCU project the directing duo may be contemplating taking on.
After helming three grand-scale ensemble blockbusters with Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame, one could naturally assume the project in question to be Avengers 5. Although after two hugely successful team-ups, perhaps it's time for another filmmaker to take the wheel, leaving the door open for the Russos to tackle something else.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the Russos' superhero debut, remains regarded as one of the great solo outings in the MCU. Based on this, fans shouldn't rule out the possibility of the directing duo tackling another Marvel hero, either in series or theatrical format.
Interestingly, the Anthony Mackie-led fourth Captain America movie has yet to sign a director as The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's Malcolm Spellman pens the script. Most expect the directing duties to go to Kari Skogland, who helmed the recent Disney+ series but should her commitments to Gal Gadot's Cleopatra prove problematic, the Russos could return to the patriotic franchise.
Every release in the Russo Brothers' filmography since Avengers: Endgame has been a streaming original movie including Extraction, Cherry, The Gray Man, and Extraction 2. With the duo having seemingly taken a deep interest in streaming unless of course, this is just a big coincidence, perhaps they make take their talents to Disney+.
Since the Russos have such strong experience tackling large ensemble casts, they would be an excellent choice to tackle the MCU's X-Men reboot - which is currently being developed under the working title The Mutants. Both brothers have previously shared thoughts on how Wolverine should be handled in the MCU, so clearly they have some interest in the Mutant corner of the Marvel world.
After the great success of all four of the Russo Brothers' MCU entries, Disney and Marvel Studios will almost certainly allow them to tackle any project they desire. But with Avengers: Endgame breaking so many box office records, they may be strongly pushed in that direction to deliver another hit.
Fans are unlikely to learn anything concrete about the Russos' potential MCU future for months or even years to come as Avengers 5 has yet to even be officially announced.
