Joe and Anthony Russo burst onto the comic book film scene in 2014, directing Captain America: The Winter Soldier, a standout from Phase 2 and one of the franchise’s most popular films. The dynamic team went on to helm Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame after being handed the multi-billion dollar vehicle key by Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige.
All four Marvel Studios films were critical and commercial triumphs, with Endgame temporarily holding the record for the highest-grossing worldwide release of all time.
The Russos have moved away from the aforementioned fourth Avengers film to pursue other projects. Since 2018, their independent film company, AGBO, has produced seven films. The Russos have directed Cherry, starring Tom Holland, and The Gray Man, which will be released on Netflix on July 15th, starring Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling.
Fans are wondering whether the Russos will ever return to the MCU, but for the time being, spectators will have to settle with more non-Marvel ventures from the filmmaking pair.
The Russo Brothers’ Newest Project Has Been Announced
The Russo Brothers have revealed their new project. The Electric State, directed by Jow and Anthony Russo, “follows a runaway adolescent girl and her robot on a voyage across an alternate-reality 1997 USA,” according to Collider.
During the conversation, Anthony Russo said that they are “working with some old pals” on The Electric State. This conversation took place during the press conference for The Gray Man, a film starring old friend and Marvel superstar Chris Evans.
Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (who previously collaborated on Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame) are writing the script, which is based on Simon Stlenhag’s 2018 graphic book of the same name.
The Electric State began production in Atlanta, Georgia in October.
Will the Russos Reappear in Avengers 5?
Between fans and Marvel Studios, there are two elephants in the room. First, when will Avengers 5 be revealed, and second, will the Russo brothers return to helm it?
Following the legal struggle between Scarlett Johansson and Disney, it was claimed that the Russo Brothers had hit a stalemate in discussions to direct another MCU film. Furthermore, Joe Russo has reaffirmed his commitment to creating unique IP rather than another comic book film:
“I believe we will begin to return to original IP… I believe it’s a fantastic opportunity… I believe that as firms grow more meticulous and factory-like in the implementation of their present IP, unique IP will begin to emerge in this industry. “I simply believe people will be hungry for fresh ideas.”
Does this imply there’s a 0% chance they’ll ever return to Marvel? Of course not, but it calls into question if they actually want to make another Avengers picture. Any MCU film is a rigorous, challenging process, but an Avengers picture is on a whole other level when it comes to schedule, set design, scope, and post-production labor.
In terms of who any of the “old buddies” may be, The Electric State must cast a teenage female. That doesn’t seem to mesh with who they’ve historically worked with at Marvel, although a robot may need voiceover work. Perhaps Robert Downey Jr. would make an excellent robot. Scarlett Johansson has expertise as a female voice for robots thanks to her appearance in 2013’s Her.
It will be intriguing to watch which “old friends” feature in the Russo Brothers’ new directorial endeavor, but the question of whether they will ever return to Marvel Studios remains unanswered.
The Russo Brothers’ MCU flicks are now available on Disney+.
