Contrary to what pop culture experts on the Internet will have us believe, Avengers: Endgame will not be shot from purple supervillain Thanos’ point of view. That’s all that I manage wrangle out of Joe Russo during our brief eight-minute chat. He did confirm what we know already: the film will focus on the original six: Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hulk and Iron Man. And the film will be markedly distinct from its predecessor Infinity War . Russo was in town to promote the upcoming Marvel magnum opus that releases on April 29. It’s the fourth film helmed by Russo and his brother Anthony following Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014); Captain America: Civil War (2016); and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). Clearly, Endgame isn’t their first Marvel rodeo. The brothers Russo have previously, won accolades for their directorial effort on TV shows like Community , Arrested Development and Happy Endings .
Superhero saga: Joe Russo declares his disdain for exaggerated run times.
When we met, earlier this week – Russo was weary, bordering on bored. It could be the jet lag he was nursing or the shocking factory line of interviews organised during the day. Plus, there was a star-spangled press conference later to release the A.R. Rahman Marvel anthem for Endgame. An overwhelming day, one that was enough to push polite chit-chat into the furthest recesses of anyone’s mind. “I mean you just have to ignore all that and shut it out,” he says about the impending outcome of what is possibly the biggest ensemble film in cinematic history with more than 30 characters. His replies emerge succinct, almost rehearsed. “I tell people to avoid the Internet when they’re getting ready to watch one of these films. But at this point, it’s in the universe’s hands and I can’t do anything to stop people.”
Keeping secrets
It’s when the topic of misleading fans through trailers comes up, that Russo becomes sharp-eyed. The brothers Russo might just pen another open letter like they did last April. Just before Avengers: Infinity War, the two requested fans to “maintain the same level of secrecy so that all fans can have an equal experience when they watch it for the first time. Don’t spoil it for others, the same way you wouldn’t want it spoiled for you”. Unfortunately, as we now know, fans are ruthless creatures bent on doing the opposite of what’s asked of them.
The brothers Russo along with screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely have spent three long years honing the script. The paranoia they harbour fearing pop cultural espionage is justified when considering the effort a Marvel film extracts. That, and the boggling energy fans exercise in wanting more details before others. Predictably, Endgame trailers have been minutely dissected to a painstaking degree. “The most important thing for me as a filmmaker is to make sure that the people who want to be surprised [remain] surprised,” he says adding that Endgame has even bigger and more secrets than the last film. “I want to protect that experience for them. There are a lot of people who want to ruin surprises and a lot of people who want [surprises] them now. I think patience is a virtue. If people are not happy with that then they don’t have to go see the movie.”
Incubating superheroes
The three-year scriptwriting process has crafted a three-hour long film. This, even though Russo declares his disdain for exaggerated run times. “We’re wrapping up stories for characters and it’s going to take time,” says Russo. “If you want emotional moments and investment in those characters, those take time to develop on screen.” To put that in perspective, there are more than 30 characters with their own narratives that have to be dealt with. “We are very spoiled by the quality of the cast,” smiles Russo adding that even Oscar winners have been excited to join the Marvel universe for a single day’s work. Case in point, Anthony Hopkins and Benicio Del Toro are among the names the Russos have roped in.
In spite of the impact superhero films have in the realm of pop culture, the Russo brothers are known for the inclusion of real world themes. Take their second Marvel outing, Civil War which took a jibe at government control in the lives of ordinary citizens. When it came to their Avengers films, the siblings explore the concept of a modern day common hero: standing up for what you believe is right. “We’re in a time right now where a lot of people are questioning the collective future of the world,” says Russo. Only looking out for yourself, your identity or even your own country is a path that will inevitably lead to isolation and worse yet, hatred. “I only understand the road that involves unity.”
Though Endgame is quite possibly the Russos’ most ambitious project, they’re not slowing down. Next on cards is a small budget venture, Cherry with Tom Holland, (who plays Spider-Man in the Marvel universe). “We’re probably gong to shoot this summer,” says the director, excitedly for the first time since we’re started chatting. The film chronicles the journey of a heroine-addicted former soldier who turns into a bank robber. “[ Cherry ] is a true story, about the opioid epidemic that going on in America right now,” he says. As we part, the relief is palpable with Russo perhaps even saying to himself, one down with a whole day’s worth more to go.
