After 21 movies and a decade of filmmaking, it's finally here. Avengers: Endgame has arrived in theaters, bringing the long standing narrative to an end, and picking up on the surviving heroes after Thanos wiped out half the galaxy with the snap of his finger. These massive ensemble projects are only possible through the vision and ambition of co-directors The Russo Brothers, who have been the architects for Phase Three.
The Russo Brothers proved their ability to juggle massive casts with Captain America: Civil War, and their two Avengers movies have been universally acclaimed. So could they end up working on another MCU installment in the future? Probably not. As Anthony Russo recently said:
It’s our Endgame, at least for now. We don’t have any plans for now to make any more Marvel movies. It certainly may come up in the future at some point. We have a wonderful working relationship with [Marvel Studios] and a great passion for what they’re doing.
Well, that's a bummer. The Russo Brothers went above and beyond all expectations for their quartet of Marvel blockbusters, so the fandom would no doubt love to see more from them. But after working non-stop on Infinity War and Endgame over the past three years, you can't blame them for wanting a change of pace.
Anthony Russo's comments to GamesRadar make a great deal of sense. Given how much pressure has been on the brothers over the past 4-5 years, the time has come for them to step away from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and work on different projects. Although, that doesn't mean they'll never return to helm another Marvel blockbuster. It's just the Endgame for now.
These comments might not surprise the fandom, but it highlights how little the public knows about the future of the MCU. Ahead of Avengers: Endgame's release, Marvel Studios was keeping its cards close to the chest. This was to protect the secrets of the highly anticipated blockbuster, despite the movie ultimately suffering a few leaks in the days before it hit theaters.
Related: 6 Incredibly Easy Ways To Avoid Avengers: Endgame Spoilers
But even revealing the titles of Phase Four's movies had the potential to spoil Endgame's biggest beats. A release schedule has certain implications just by what titles are on the way, and which franchises are potentially ending. The stakes are high and half of life was destroyed in Infinity War, so seemingly no one is safe from the rematch with Josh Brolin's Thanos.
Regardless of what's coming in Phase Four, one thing is clear: The Russo Brothers won't be a part of it. Instead, the co-directors will be able to work on non-Marvel projects, and bask in the light of their success. What's more, the duo can sit in theater to actually enjoy the next MCU installments, which should be a welcomed change of pace.
The Russo Brothers' (possibly) last Marvel project is currently on display, as Avengers: Endgame has finally arrived in theaters. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
