Change is a great force that keeps worlds, both personal and cosmic, moving into the future. Societies thrive on it, and in the entertainment world, it definitely helps to have a degree of flexibility that allows for change to take place. In the case of Anthony and Joe Russo, the directing masterminds behind this year’s three-hour epic Avengers: Endgame, change is a subject that has definitely been mentioned in recent conversations, as the brothers have been asked whether or not they’d do a film for the DC Extended Universe. While the answer is unclear, the pair definitely haven’t shot down the possibility just yet.
On the brink of what could be their crowning achievement in comic cinema history, Joe Russo had the following to say about whether or not he and his brother Anthony would consider directing for DC:
I mean, our brains are so fogged at this point, I don't know if we can consider anything. But you never say never.
It’s a scenario that we’ve seen happen plenty of times with on-screen talent: you debut in one comic universe, and whether it’s a boom or a bust, eventually there’s an opportunity to move into the next realm and continue the good work. So you’d have to be nuts not to wonder if The Russo Brothers would want to take the fantastic experiences they’ve had since starting their tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and try to replicate them on the DC Comics team. Unfortunately, the answer is wobbly at best for now.
But of course, there’s a lot of history that ties the pair to the MCU. They first put their stamp on it with 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and have continued to help tie the entire universe together in their subsequent films Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War.
This response to MTV News’ Josh Horowitz, while seeming non-committal as any good Marvel Studios professional would be in this situation, is also particularly understandable. It has to be considered that Joe and Anthony Russo have literally just locked Avengers: Endgame into its final form as of this weekend.
Putting the finishing touches on Avengers: Endgame marks the end to a shoot that saw two gigantic epics filmed back-to-back, with the actors not even knowing which half their particular scenes were going into. So not only did they have to keep themselves straight on how the story was working out, they had to navigate those waters carefully for their cast as well.
The Russo Brothers do indeed have the full right to feel fogged over at this point, as they’ve just put to bed what has the potential to be the biggest film in the history of modern blockbusters. It’s such a frenzied event that fans sold out opening weekend showings in record time, broke ticketing apps in the process, and have even begun selling their Avengers: Endgame tickets for obscene amounts.
And yet, at this moment, some executive at Warner Bros. has to be weighing the pros and cons of making an offer to the Russos for a DC Comics crossover that has such spectacular ramifications, that only the pair that have handled Marvel Studios’ most ambitious pair of films to date could handle it. Naturally, while an outright yes or no would be foolish at this juncture, Joe Russo is wise to not dismiss the notion wholesale.
While the question of whether or not the Russo Brothers will work in the DCEU is not an open and shut answer, it is a possibility that should continue to engross fans and delight decision makers at DC Comics until the day that a final statement has been issued on the matter. So if you’re hoping that somehow the DC Rebirth arc will be adapted, and allow for the series to start over with a renewed purpose and the Russos at the helm, you might want to make your voice heard about now. You never know what the future will bring.
Avengers: Endgame breaks down the walls of your local theater on April 26th. But, of course, if you’d like to get some fun into your box office calendar before that point, you'll want to see our 2019 release schedule, as it has the information you’ll need before heading out to the theater.
