The Russo Brothers (Joe and Anthony) directed one of the biggest movies ever, Avengers: Endgame. However, the upcoming MCU Avengers 5 is still seeking a director and it does not sound like the Russos will get it.
According to Jeff Sneider on the Hot Mic podcast, he believes Marvel Studios and Disney would “love” to announce its Avengers 5 director at SDCC. However, he adds that he does not think Deadpool and Wolverine director Shawn Levy will helm it despite rumors. He also said he does not think the Russo Brothers will direct it, but they “wanted it.”
“I've heard the Russos wanted it,” Sneider said. “I heard [that] they want to come back.”
Budget problems
He then noted the rumor from Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel that Captain America: Brave New World cost $375 million to make after reshoots. This ties into why Marvel Studios denied the Russo Brothers Avengers 5.
Their upcoming Electric State movie for Netflix allegedly cost $370 million for Netflix. “Remember people were saying that [the budget] was $300 million? I heard it's actually $370 [million],” Sneider said.
This conflicts with Marvel Studios and Disney's mission to cut down budgets. Avengers 5 is inherently going to be big, but a budget this big is akin to Fast X and makes it almost impossible to turn a profit.
“If you're Marvel, yes, it's Avengers 5, you're already breaking the bank on talent, right? Because you're getting 66 people back, I think it is, do you really spend money to bring the Russos back when they also can't control a budget on a movie like The Electric State?” Sneider explained. “Even if you're making Avengers, you're trying to rein in budgets.
“And if they just made Electric State for $370 [million], I mean, I don't know how you give it to them as good [of] a movie as they may make, and as good [of] a track record as they may have, I think you're trying to shed costs and they're also expensive,” he continued.
What is Avengers 5?
Avengers 5 is the fifth team-up MCU movie in the series and is part of Phase Six. Originally, the film was titled The Kang Dynasty. Jonathan Majors' Kang was presumed to be the antagonist of it.
However, after his assault conviction, Majors was dropped by Disney and Marvel Studios. The character of Kang has not been seen since Loki Season 2 and it is unclear if he remains the plan for Avengers 5. Re-casting the part is always an option or completely pivoting to a new villain could work.
After all, the upcoming Fantastic Four movie will introduce Galactus to the fray. Ralph Ineson will play the part. Doctor Doom is also presumably a looming threat in the MCU that has not yet been introduced.
Either way, they will find a formidable foe for the team. As Sneider noted, Avengers 5 is reportedly bringing back 60+ characters into the fold. Those could include surviving Endgame team members such as Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).
Recently introduced MCU heroes such as Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) could join the team. Heck, even Ryan Reynolds is teasing Deadpool's connection to the Avengers.
Who are the Russo Brothers?
The Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony, are best known for their work in the MCU. Before that, they directed episodes of Arrested Development and Community (they also executive-produced the latter).
They joined the MCU in 2014 directing Captain America: The Winter Soldier. They subsequently Civil War, the sequel, and two Avengers movies, Infinity War and Endgame.
All of their MCU movies were hits. Infinity War and Endgame both made over $2 billion at the box office. Winter Soldier made over $700 million and Civil War topped $1 billion.
After their MCU tenure wrapped up, they directed Cherry featuring Tom Holland. They followed that up with The Gray Man for Netflix which starred Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling. Their upcoming Electric State movie will feature MCU alums Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Anthony Mackie, and Giancarlo Esposito as well as Millie Bobby Brown and Stanley Tucci.
It does not sound like the Russo Brothers will return to the MCU to be the directors of Avengers 5. However, if they are open to a return, there is still another Avengers movie, Secret Wars, coming after the fifth movie.
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