Following a couple of months of reports, it looks to be nearly a done deal for Joe and Anthony Russo to direct 2014′s Captain America sequel, according to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.
THR says the two are “close to finalizing a deal,” after F. Gary Gray and George Nolfi were also considered. The Russos are definitely an unconventional choice to helm a superhero sequel — they’re best known for their work directing many episodes of acclaimed sitcoms Arrested Development, Community and Happy Endings, and their major feature film credits are limited to the little-seen Welcome to Collinwood and the critically reviled You, Me and Dupree. But as many have pointed out, that fairly consistent with past choices by Marvel Studios. it was a bit of a surprise for Jon Favreau to direct the original Iron Man, after all, and that seemed to work out pretty well for everybody.
Whether or not this means that Britta from Community, Gob from Arrested Development and Max from Happy Endings will join Steve Rogers as the new Cap’s Kooky Quartet remains to be seen, but one can certainly hope.
Captain America 2 is scheduled for release on April 4, 2014. The original film, released last summer, was directed by The Rocketeer‘s Joe Johnston, and, as you may have heard tale of, Chris Evans’ Captain America also appeared in current mega-monster-super hit The Avengers.
June 6th, 2012 at 7:35 pm
You could potentially make the same comparisons with Whedon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. (Though I am a fan of all 3). I say give these guys a chance. Marvel knows what they want to do, they just need some people in the director’s chair doing what they want. They don’t need somebody putting their own unique spin on it.
Now for a Nick Fury/Shield movie I’d get Quentin Tarantino. And no, I’m not joking. He’d just have to keep it a PG13.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
I’m more concerned about the story. I’d prefer to see him fight more modern villains (maybe revamp the Serpent Society into a scary, powerful cult; I’d love to see Viper and a cool version of King Cobra) and build up to the return of the Red Skull. I’d hate to see him just fighting the same villain, especially ones tied to WWII. If they can make him forward moving, that’d be great. And if they could introduce Sharon Carter, like as his SHIELD liaison or handler, that’d be even better.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Favreau had done the much admired sci-fi/adventure flick Zathura before taking over Iron Man. I will suggest Marvel to give us an example that someone has what it takes before hiring him/them. People hated the choice of Casavettes for Iron Man because all he done was romantic movies. Throw the fans some line if you want them to support the movie, show them the guy can handle your type of flicks if you want to have some good will. X-Men 3 was almost dead on the arrival because fans had rejected Brett Ratner beforehand. Sure these two sitcom guys may have had the greatest pitch but that doesn’t mean anything to the fans.
June 7th, 2012 at 4:53 am
Between the two of them the Russo brothers have directed almost half of all the episodes of Community. Therefore they should be allowed to do whatever they want – (not where but) whenever they want.
I know I don’t have to say it, but I’m going to say it anyway – D&D episode.
June 7th, 2012 at 4:54 am
…and I’d go see a Dan Harmon written Cap film in a New York second!
June 7th, 2012 at 4:58 am
with Donald Glover as the Falcon and Alison Brie as Madame Viper.
Mmmmmm – Alison Brie…
June 7th, 2012 at 7:16 am
Marvel’s batting average on the Avengers family of films is pretty good so far. I’m willing to trust their judgement until they prove me wrong.
June 7th, 2012 at 7:23 am
Ok, the fact that they were involved at all with Community, means that they’re gonna ruin Captain America 2. Community sucks. Joe Johnston needs to direct the sequel too. The First Avenger was flawless.
June 8th, 2012 at 12:48 am
I’m happy with the confirmed movie date.
I care nothing of who’s the famous or not so famous director/writer/producer, as long as they make good film, with good plots and scripts.
June 8th, 2012 at 3:31 am
it was a bit of a surprise for Jon Favreau to direct the original Iron Man
June 8th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Let’s also not forget that thus far, Marvel has built up a great set of 1st ADs. In all fairness to Joss Whedon (and he did a fantastic job with the character writing and character directing in Avengers), he does not have the action-eye that was presented to us in that movie. I also doubt Alan Taylor (on Thor 2) has a big-screen action eye, yet we will doubtless be presented with fantastic 2nd unit scenes in both it and Cap 2.
Marvel is hiring its movie directors for the character direction they can bring, and keeps its faith in its 1st ADs for the big-money moments. Favreau was a perfect fit for Stark, Brannagh for Thor, Johnston for 40s Rogers and Whedon for the multi-quipping Avengers. Cap 2 will be a very fish-out-of-water character piece. Guys who did Community and Happy Endings seems somewhat perfect for that type of movie.