Endgame Director Addresses Possibility Of Directing MCU’s Secret Wars

Joe Russo comments on possibly directing the MCU's Secret Wars after working on Avengers: Endgame in the MCU. The filmmaker, alongside his brother, Anthony, wrapped up the Infinity Saga by helming both Avengers: Infinity War and its direct 2019 sequel. Given how good of a job the duo did with the last Avengers films, fans are understandably eager to know when the Russo brothers will come back to the MCU — if at all.

The Russos, alongside writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, were once the top creatives over at Marvel Studios. The team worked on MCU projects four times. Aside from the last two Avengers films, they also spearheaded Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, which proved to be both critical and box office hits. After brilliantly capping off the Infinity Saga, however, the Russos decided to focus on their other endeavors outside of the MCU. Right now, they are currently busy working on the action thriller film, The Gray Man, which features a star-studded cast, including the MCU's former Captain America, Chris Evans. The Russos are also busy with a new series titled Citadel, on top of producing certain projects, as well.

With a few years already removed from the MCU, Joe Russo was recently asked by ComicBook's Phase Zero at the premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home about the chances of he and his brother/partner returning to make a Marvel movie or show. Specifically, the filmmaker was questioned about potentially helming Secret Wars. Russo claims that he currently doesn't know where the franchise is heading, but sounds optimistic about the idea. The director even added that he's always open to working with Marvel again given their past experience with the studio, who he said was "like family." Read Russo's comments below:

"You know one of these days, we'll have to see how this all shakes out. I don't know what they're going to do with all these characters! ... Uh, you know we love those guys [Marvel] and I can't say one way or another. But I'd work with them in a heartbeat, best working experience of ours careers, they'll like family to us, and you know we love this material and we love the fans."

Earlier this year, the Russos were actually reportedly in talks with Marvel Studios to return to the MCU. It was unclear what the potential project was going to be, but negotiations were halted on the heels of Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow lawsuit against Disney. Now that the legal battle has been settled, it's possible that Joe and Anthony have restarted discussions with Kevin Feige and his team. For what it's worth, Russo's answer here is more of an implication that something is happening behind the scenes, considering he didn't directly deny the claims. The fact that Russo is also attending Spider-Man: No Way Home's premiere is an indication that he's maintained a strong relationship with Feige.

Considering the Russos' track record over at Marvel Studios, it's not surprising that the public wants to see them back in the MCU. If the filmmakers' comeback project in the franchise is indeed Secret Wars, audiences shouldn't expect this to release for several years. Marvel doesn't even officially have the project on their docket. While there's a Secret Invasion TV show currently in the works for Disney+, Secret Wars would likely be an entirely different endeavor. It could be another major crossover film to wrap up the next overarching narrative for the MCU, in the vein of Avengers: Endgame, which would be an extremely exciting prospect. Hopefully, there's more news to come.

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Source: ComicBook's Phase Zero