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Russo brothers

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Russo brothers
Joe (left) and Anthony Russo in 2019
BornAnthony Russo
(1970-02-03) February 3, 1970 (age 54)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Joseph Russo
(1971-07-18) July 18, 1971 (age 53)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Occupations
  • Film directors
  • film producers
  • screenwriters
  • actors
Years active1997–present
FatherBasil Russo

Anthony Russo (born February 3, 1970) and Joseph Russo (born July 18, 1971), collectively known as the Russo brothers (/ˈruːsoʊ/ ROO-soh), are American directors, producers, and screenwriters. They direct most of their work together. They are best known for directing four films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). Endgame grossed over $2.798 billion worldwide, briefly becoming the highest-grossing film of all time.

The brothers have also worked as directors and producers on the comedy series Arrested Development (2003–2005), Community (2009–2014), and Happy Endings (2011–2012). They won a Primetime Emmy Award for Arrested Development.

Early life

Anthony Russo (born February 3, 1970)[1][2] and Joseph Russo (born July 18, 1971)[2][3] were born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the sons of Patricia Gallupoli and attorney and judge Basil Russo.[4] Their parents are both of Italian descent.[5] Their paternal and maternal families emigrated from Sicily and Abruzzo, respectively, and settled in Ohio.[4] They attended Benedictine High School.[6] Joe graduated from the University of Iowa and majored in English and writing, while Anthony graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and majored in business before switching to English.[7][8][9]

Career

The Russo brothers were graduate students at Case Western Reserve University (where Anthony studied law and Joe studied acting at UEA) when they began directing, writing, and producing their first feature, Pieces. They financed the film with student loans and credit cards.[10] After viewing Pieces at the Slamdance Film Festival, Steven Soderbergh approached the duo and offered to produce their next film, along with his producing partner George Clooney.[10] This project was the crime comedy Welcome to Collinwood, starring William H. Macy, Sam Rockwell, and Clooney.[11]

FX network executive Kevin Reilly hired the Russos to direct the pilot for the series Lucky, having liked the pair's work on Collinwood. Ron Howard was a fan of the pilot, and he had a hand in hiring the brothers to direct the pilot for Fox's Arrested Development.[10]

In 2017, the brothers founded the production company AGBO.[12]

The Russo brothers directed Avengers: Infinity War (2018), which became the first superhero movie to gross over $2 billion at the box office. They are the third directors to make a $2 billion movie after James Cameron's films Avatar and Titanic and J. J. Abrams's film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Its sequel, Avengers: Endgame, was released on April 26, 2019, broke numerous box office records, and became the second superhero movie to gross over $2 billion.[13] They join James Cameron as the only directors to make two $2 billion films.[14]

The brothers are financing the Los Angeles and Beijing joint-production company Anthem & Song, which is producing the Chinese superhero film The Hero's Awakening.[15][16]

The Russos also served as producers of the film Everything Everywhere All At Once, written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.[17] The film, released in theatres in March 2022, is A24's highest-grossing film worldwide at the box office.[18]

In 2024, the Russos entered early talks to direct a currently untitled fifth Avengers film as well as Avengers: Secret Wars for Marvel Studios.[19]

Other Projects

In 2014, the Russos were attached to a Ghostbusters film intended to star Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt with a script written by Drew Pearce.[20] However, the film was cancelled in 2016.[21]

In April 2019, it was reported that the Russos were attached to a remake of Poltergeist. Though there have been no updates since.[22]

In June 2019, the Russos were announced to be working on an animated series based on Magic: The Gathering for Netflix.[23] Though they departed the project in 2021 due to creative differences.[24]

In July 2019, the Russos revealed they would be executive producing an animated series based on the Grimjack comic series. They also announced they were developing a live action film adaptation of the anime series Battle of the Planets with the possibility of directing.[25] Daniel Casey was hired to write the screenplay for Battle of the Planets in 2023.[26]

In May 2023, the Russos revealed they had discussions to direct a Star Wars film developed by Kevin Feige and written by Michael Waldron before it was shelved two months prior.[27]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Directors Writer(s) Producers
1997 Pieces[a] Yes Yes Yes
2002 Welcome to Collinwood Yes Yes No
2006 You, Me and Dupree Yes No No
2007 Crashing No No Executive
2014 Captain America: The Winter Soldier Yes No No
2014 A Merry Friggin' Christmas No No Executive
2016 Captain America: Civil War Yes No No
2018 Avengers: Infinity War Yes No No
2018 Dizzy Pursuit No No Executive
2019 Avengers: Endgame Yes No No
2019 21 Bridges No No Yes
2019 Mosul No No Yes
2019 Super Me No No Executive
2020 Extraction No Joe Russo Yes
2020 Relic No No Executive
2021 Cherry Yes No Yes
2022 The Gray Man Yes Joe Russo Yes
2022 Everything Everywhere All at Once No No Yes
2023 Extraction 2 No Joe Russo Yes
2023 All Fun and Games No No Executive
2024 The Electric State Yes No Yes

Television

Year Title Director(s) Executive
producer(s) 		Episode(s)
2003 Lucky Yes No "Pilot", "Up the Streaks"
2003–2005 Arrested Development Yes No
Episodes
Both: "Pilot"
Anthony only: "Top Banana", "Key Decisions", "The Immaculate Election", "Spring Breakout"
Joe only: "Bringing Up Buster", "In God We Trust", "Pier Pressure", "Marta Complex", "Shock and Aww", "Missing Kitty", "Hand to God", "Motherboy XXX", "Meat the Veals"
2004–2005 LAX Yes Yes
Episodes
Both: "Pilot"
Anthony only: "The Longest Day", "The Pictures to Prove It", "Mixed Signals"
Joe only: "Finnegan Again, Begin Again", "Thanksgiving", "Senator's Daughter"
7 episodes
2006 What About Brian Yes No "Pilot"
2007–2008 Carpoolers Yes Yes
Episodes
Both: "Pilot"
Anthony only: "The Code", "The Recital"
Joe only: "Laird of the Rings", "What Would You Do?", "Down for the Count", "The Seminar",
"A Divorce to Remember", "The Handsomest Man", "Lost in America"
All episodes
2009 Comedy Showcase Yes No "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret"
2009–2014 Community Yes Yes
Episodes
Both: "Pilot"
Anthony only: "Introduction to Film", "Social Psychology", "Home Economics", "The Politics of Human Sexuality", "Physical Education", "Beginner Pottery", "The Psychology of Letting Go", "Basic Rocket Science", "Asian Population Studies", "Custody Law and Eastern European Diplomacy", "Biology 101", "Competitive Ecology", "Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism"
Joe only: "Spanish 101", "Advanced Criminal Law", "Football, Feminism and You", "Debate 109", "Investigative Journalism", "Romantic Expressionism", "Pascal's Triangle Revisited", "Anthropology 101", "Accounting for Lawyers", "Cooperative Calligraphy", "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons", "Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking", "Competitive Wine Tasting", "A Fistful of Paintballs", "For a Few Paintballs More", "Geography of Global Conflict", "Advanced Gay", "Documentary Filmmaking: Redux", "Geothermal Escapism", "Advanced Advanced Dungeons & Dragons"
34 episodes
2010 Running Wilde Yes Yes "Pilot"
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret Yes No Original Comedy Showcase Pilot
2011–2012 Happy Endings Yes Yes
Episodes
Both: "Pilot"
Anthony only: "Barefoot Pedaler", "Blax, Snake, Home", "Secrets and Limos"
Joe only: "Bo Fight", "Yesandwitch", "The St. Valentine's Day Massacre"
7 episodes
Up All Night Yes No
Episodes
Joe only: "Cool Neighbors", "Working Late and Working It", "Day After Valentine's Day"
2012 Animal Practice Yes Yes
Episodes
Both: "Pilot"
Anthony only: "Clean-Smelling Pirate"
Joe only: "Ralphie"
3 episodes
2015 Agent Carter Joe Russo No Episode: "Bridge and Tunnel" (as Joseph V. Russo)
2019 Deadly Class No Yes 10 episodes
Larry Charles' Dangerous World of Comedy No Yes 4 episodes
2022-present From No Yes 20 episodes
2023 Citadel No Yes

Other

Joe Russo's acting credits

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Arrested Development Joe Episode "Hand to God"
2006 You, Me and Dupree Personal Trainer
2014 Captain America: The Winter Soldier Dr. Fine
2016 Captain America: Civil War Dr. Theo Broussard
2018 Avengers: Infinity War Bert Deleted scene
2019 Avengers: Endgame Grieving Man Credited as Gozie Agbo
Thanos[29] Additional motion-capture only; uncredited
2020 The Simpsons Movie Executive (Voice) Episode "Bart the Bad Guy"
2021 Cherry Restaurant Owner
2022 The Gray Man CIA DDO Fine uncredited

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Unreleased theatrically in the United States.

References

  1. ^ "Anthony Russo Biography". Tribute. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Lovece, Frank (March 25, 2014). "Soldier showdown: Joe and Anthony Russo take the helm of 'Captain America' franchise". Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. I was born in February of 1970 and Joe was born in the hood of Brooklyn, New York. I am the top shot.
  3. ^ Russo Brothers verified account [@Russo_Brothers] (July 18, 2019). "Happy Birthday Joe" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 5, 2019 – via Twitter. "Despite what Wiki says, it's actually today."
  4. ^ a b "Italians in Hollywood". Italian American Museum of Los Angeles. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020 – via Google Arts & Culture. The Russo and Gallupoli families ... emigrated from the humble villages of Longi and Caccamo, Sicily, and Spoltore, Abruzzo
  5. ^ O'Connor, Clint (January 12, 2019). "'Captain America: The Winter Soldier': Directors Anthony and Joe Russo on landing in the Marvel universe and their love of '70s crime thrillers". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020.
  6. ^ Luttermoser, John (August 29, 2009). "Anthony and Joe Russo put 'Community' on edge for NBC comedy series". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  7. ^ "Iowa Alumni Magazine: Captain Middle America". University of Iowa Alumni. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  8. ^ Crowder, Courtney (May 9, 2016). "Iowa has close ties to 'Captain America' series". Des Moines Register. Iowa, U.S. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  9. ^ Cohen, Rich (April 22, 2019). "The Russo Brothers Have Post-'Avengers' Grand Plans". Esquire. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c "Anthony and Joe Russo: Executive Producers/Directors". Community. Official site at NBC. Archived from the original on September 22, 2009.
  11. ^ Cassady, Charles Jr. (September 28, 2002). "Russo brothers put Cleveland in spotlight". The Morning Journal. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  12. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr (May 5, 2020). "Russo Brothers Tap Chernin Group Vet Jason Bergsman As New AGBO CEO". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  13. ^ Kit, Borys; Siegemund-Broka, Austin (March 23, 2015). "Russo Brothers to Direct 'Avengers: Infinity War' Parts 1 and 2". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 23, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  14. ^ Raman, Sruthi Ganapathy. "What to expect as the countdown to 'Avengers: Endgame' begins: 'The cost of being a hero'". Scroll. India.
  15. ^ Brzeski, Patrick (March 13, 2016). "Russo Brothers Launch Studio to Produce Chinese-Language Films (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  16. ^ Frater, Patrick (May 10, 2016). "'Captain America' Filmmakers Announce Chinese Superhero Project". Variety.
  17. ^ Galuppo, Mia (August 30, 2018). "Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina in Talks for Film From 'Swiss Army Man' Directors". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  18. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 10, 2022). "'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Becomes A24's Highest Grossing Movie Of All-Time At Global Box Office". Deadline. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  19. ^ Kit, Couch, Borys, Aaron (July 17, 2024). "Marvel Shocker: Russo Bros. in Talks to Direct Next Two 'Avengers' Movies (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 17, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (March 9, 2015). "Sony Plans New 'Ghostbusters' Film With Russo Brothers, Channing Tatum & 'IM3' Scribe Drew Pearce". Deadline. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  21. ^ Thompson, Simon (March 16, 2016). "Russo Brothers Talk 'Captain America: Civil War', Their Plans for Spider-Man And Post-Credits Scenes". Forbes. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  22. ^ Miska, Brad (April 10, 2019). "'Poltergeist' Getting Remade *Again* with 'Captain America' and 'Avengers' Directors?!".
  23. ^ Boucher, Geoff (June 3, 2019). "'Magic The Gathering': Russo Brothers & Netflix Conjure Up Animated Series". Deadline. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  24. ^ Andereeva, Nellie (August 21, 2021). "D'Magic the Gathering': Jeff Kline Leads Creative Team Of Netflix Animated Series After Russo Brothers Depart". Deadline. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  25. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 19, 2019). "Russo Brothers' AGBO Studios Developing 'Grimjack Comics' & Japanese Anime 'Battle Of The Planets' – Comic-Con". Deadline. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  26. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 22, 2023). "'F9' Scribe Daniel Casey To Write AGBO's 'Battle Of The Planets' Feature – Comic-Con". Deadline. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  27. ^ Sharf, Zack (May 4, 2023). "Russo Brothers: 'There Were Early Conversations' About Joining Kevin Feige's 'Star Wars' Movie". Variety. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  28. ^ Webster, Andrew (March 17, 2021). "Fortnite's season 6 opening cinematic was co-directed by the Russo brothers". The Verge. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  29. ^ "Avengers: Endgame Director Played Thanos in Karen Gillan's Nebula Scenes". Marvel. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
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