CLEVELAND, Ohio – Directors Joe and Anthony Russo are feeling pretty good these days as fans line up to see their latest venture into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Avengers: Infinity War,” a film replete with shocks and revelations.
The Russos, who grew up in Cleveland reading Marvel Comics, said in a telephone interview that “Infinity War” would “change the very composition of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.” That is certainly apparent with the ending of the movie, which opens Friday and could challenge the incredible $1.3 billion worldwide box office figures of Marvel’s “Black Panther.”
The Russos would not tell everything about the future of the Marvel properties on-screen, but what they said was intriguing – and more than a little ominous.
“There will be more Marvel movies,” said Anthony. “But the composition of the Marvel universe is going to change. The first Iron Man movie told an interconnected story. The two movies [Avengers movies] Joe and I are making are the culmination of that run.”
Neither brother would say exactly what that means. Joe added a bit more detail, referring to the future of stars reprising their old roles, such as Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, which debuted in 2008.
“Who knows when Robert will want to stop playing Tony Stark?” asked Joe. “But we do see a commitment by Marvel to diversification, with more and unique characters. There are some profound changes coming.”
Marvel Comics readers know what happened in the past 18 months when the company took a sledgehammer to its universe to bring in diversity. In a matter of months, Marvel replaced the Hulk with a teenage South Korean boy; Iron Man with a teenage black girl; Ms. Marvel with a teenage Pakistani girl. Iceman, of the X-Men, announced he was gay. There were many other changes to the previously mostly white male superhero hierarchy.
Some fans applauded the changes, but others were angry and showed it at the comic-shop cash register. Marvel has been slowly walking back the changes, bringing back the old characters while keeping the new ones.
Referring to the movies, Anthony said he has the utmost confidence in Marvel.
“Marvel is the brand,” said Anthony. “They trust their storytelling and do not make safe choices. [The Marvel Cinematic Universe] is moving in different directions, [and] predictability will not service anyone.”
The Russos noted that their two earlier movies, “Captain America: Winter Soldier” and “Captain America: Civil War,” made major changes and took risks.
” ‘Winter Soldier’ and ‘Civil War’ were game-changers,” said Anthony. “We demolished S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers were split apart, and the relationship between Captain America and Iron man was destroyed. There are more [changes] coming.”
Much of the future is going to hang on the next Avengers movie, which opens on May 3, 2019.
The Russos said they did much of the principal filming of the as-yet-unamed sequel to “Avengers: Infinity War” while filming the first one.
Without massive spoilers, the next movie had better be a doozy or the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in deep trouble.
Before the debut of “Avengers Four: The Infinity War Part Two,” or whatever it will be called, there are several other Marvel Studios films coming out, including “Ant-Man and the Wasp” on July 6 and perhaps the most important film to the current Avengers saga, “Captain Marvel,” which comes out on March 6.
The Russos said those films (which they are not directing) will be important to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Neither Ant-Man, the Wasp nor Captain Marvel appeared in the latest Avengers film.
Other films featuring Marvel Comics characters like “Deadpool 2” on May 18 and “Venom” on Oct. 4 are expected to be separate from the main Marvel universe.
Are there any more Russo Brothers Marvel films coming after the next Avengers film? The brothers are not saying.
“Working at Marvel has been the best experience of our professional careers,” said Anthony. “We have a lifelong affection for the material, but we have so much hard work left to deliver on the next Avengers movie, we have not thought about what to do afterward. We have some ideas about what we would like to do within the Marvel universe and outside of it, but we have to finish the Avengers first.”
On May 5, Joe and Anthony Russo will host the “Russo-Rama” at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, 11610 Euclid Ave., featuring both Captain America movies and the latest Avengers movie, starting at 1 p.m. The brothers will talk to fans and answer questions. See all three films for $35. For more information, call 216-421-7450 or click here.
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