Brothers Joe and Anthony Russo have made leftfield sitcoms, mainstream television dramas, and record-setting superhero movies. There's barely a major US television network, film studio or streamer the directing-producing duo hasn't been in business with.
And business has been good for the pair and their Agbo studio. Their Avengers: Endgame is the second-biggest film of all time (fifth, if you adjust for inflation), sitting between the two Avatars. Its predecessor, Avengers: Infinity War, is the sixth.
They were among the first supposedly left-field directors Disney-owned Marvel Studios recruited to its mega-franchise and were given Captain America: Winter Soldier then Captain America: Civil War on the strength of their work on ensemble sitcoms Community and Arrested Development, for which they won an Emmy award for directing.
More recently, they were among the producers of this year's Best Picture Oscar winner Everything Everywhere All at once. "We've had very, very eclectic careers," Anthony Russo tells the Listener on a call from Los Angeles. "What Joe and I are excited by is when we can sort of change the format of where we're working and how we're working, because it allows us to think about different ways to engage with audiences, different ways we can structure narrative and explore character. It all provides different opportunities for us on a creative side."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
