“Captain America” directors Joe and Anthony Russo have graduated to Marvel’s big leagues and will direct the two-part conclusion to the “Avengers” franchise subtitled “Infinity War,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Marvel declined to comment.
The Russo brothers are taking the reins of the superhero team-up franchise from Joss Whedon, who directed the first two “Avengers” movies including sequel “Age of Ultron,” which hits theaters on May 1.
The “Infinity War” movies are expected to shoot back-to-back in 2016. Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely are poised to write the script after working with the Russos on “Civil War,” which starts shooting in April.
The Russo brothers recently signed a three-year first-look deal with Sony, but it seems as though the next three years of their lives are accounted for, so perhaps that deal will be extended at some point. The Russos are set to direct an untitled movie in the “Ghostbusters” universe starring Channing Tatum.
“Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1” is due May 4, 2018, while “Part 2” will hit on May 3, 2019. Of course, “Captain America: Civil War” will dominate theaters before both of those films, as it’s slated for release on May 6, 2016.
The Russos, who made their name with NBC’s “Community,” are represented by WME and Jackoway Tyerman.
Badass Digest broke the news that the Russo brothers were closing a deal.
10 Horrible Marvel Movies - Before It Took Over the World (Photos)
The Punisher (1989) - Marvel has had three cracks at getting a “Punisher” franchise going, and none really took off. Ivan Drago himself, Dolph Lundgren, was the first to don the skull t-shirt in 1989. The other two to play the violently vengeance-bent vigilante were Thomas Jane (2004) and Ray Stevenson (2008).
Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1998) - David Hasselhoff donned Nick Fury’s eye-patch long before Sam Jackson, but the Hoff couldn’t muster the same swagger in this made-for-TV-movie that premiered on Fox. Maybe if it were surrounded by girls in red swimsuits things would have worked out better.
Man-Thing (2005) - Marvel actually tried its hand at horror with the “Man-Thing,” loosely based on Stan Lee's swamp monster comic from '71. Produced by Lionsgate, it premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel after theatrical release plans were scrapped. It features a swamp-monster whose touch burns people who feel fear -- and suddenly men in tights and Nordic gods don’t seem so ridiculous.
Howard the Duck (1986) - There was nothing super about George Lucas’ “Howard the Duck” (who was introduced as a secondary character to "Man-Thing," see previous slide). This Marvel character's film treatment by George Lucas was a bomb for the ages -- and even makes his “Star Wars” prequels look good. OK, maybe not.
Generation X (1996) - Hoping to capitalize on the popular “X-Men” animated series of the '90s, “Generation X” was a TV movie that aired on Fox about a school for the gifted run by Emma Frost and Banshee. It featured other popular X-Men like Jubilee, Mondo, and ... Skin?
Fantastic Four (1994) - Legend has it that Roger Corman was commissioned to make a low-budget version of “The Fantastic Four” solely so that producer Bernd Eichinger could retain rights -- which they denied. Marvel Studios founder Avi Arad later said he bought it for a couple million and ordered all copies destroyed, worrying it would cheapen the IP.
Daredevil (2003) - A big reason for the hate Ben Affleck weathered after being cast as Batman had to do with his first superhero turn, as the blind crime-fighter Daredevil. Though it opened to a then-whopping $45 million, the consensus labels it one of the worst Marvel movies ever made.
Elektra (2005) - Somehow less popular than "Daredevil" is its spin-off, "Elektra." Jennifer Garner reprised her role, and that's about the only thing note-worthy about it.
Captain America (1990) - When “Captain America: The First Avenger” was waiting to be released, the internet uncovered the shield-wielding super soldier's first cinematic experience. It’s pretty clear why Marvel tried to keep this botched attempt under wraps for all these years.
Ghost Rider (2007) - The night before the dawn for Marvel came in the form of the Nic Cage’s “Ghost Rider.” Critically smashed and barely in the black at the box-office, things looked bleak for superheroes not named Batman or Spiderman. Thankfully for Marvel, “Iron Man” changed everything the following year.
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Marvel movies weren’t always the box-office heroes they are today
The Punisher (1989) - Marvel has had three cracks at getting a “Punisher” franchise going, and none really took off. Ivan Drago himself, Dolph Lundgren, was the first to don the skull t-shirt in 1989. The other two to play the violently vengeance-bent vigilante were Thomas Jane (2004) and Ray Stevenson (2008).
