Following the success of Jon Favreau's Iron Man in 2008, the MCU has been able to properly expand from the world of comic books into movies, television, and other forms of new media. To achieve this, Kevin Feige has continuously recruited some of the best directors in recent memory to helm each film entry.

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These directors didn't just come out of nowhere, however. Whether they drew rave reviews at Sundance Film Festival or already had a blockbuster under their belt, they entered the world of Marvel with buzz stemming from these previous projects.

Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton, 2019)

Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx in Just Mercy

Before stunning audiences with the amazingly choreographed Shang-Chi, Destin Daniel Cretton's fourth feature Just Mercy had them reaching for tissues. Set in the 1980s, Just Mercy follows the true story of Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan), a recent Harvard law graduate who moves to Alabama.

Once settled, Stevenson forms the Equal Justice Initiative and meets death row inmate Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), who Stevenson believes was wrongfully convicted of murder after finding a crack in the prosecution's case. With a supporting cast of Brie Larson, O'Shea Jackson Jr., and Rob Morgan, this legal biopic effortlessly balances the emotional performances of Jordan and Foxx with its urgent plea for a fairer justice system.

October Sky (Joe Johnston, 1999)

Jake Gyllenhaal and Laura Dern in October Sky.

While he introduced viewers to Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger, Joe Johnston directed another actor from the MCU before Chris Evans: Jake Gyllenhaal. October Sky follows Homer Hickam Jr. (Gyllenhaal), a coalminer's son inspired to take up rocketry after watching Sputnik 1 launch in 1957.

For his first leading film role, Gyllenhaal received universal praise, with many critics calling it his breakout performance. The supporting cast includes Chris Cooper as John Hickam, his disapproving dad, and Laura Dern as Miss Riley, a science teacher who encourages Holden to pursue his interest in building rockets.

Mississippi Grind (Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck, 2015)

Two guys in a casino in Mississippi Grind

Starring Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds, this road film from the directors of Captain Marvel follows two gambling addicts Gerry (Mendelsohn) and Curtis (Reynolds) who become fast friends. Facing threats from his loan shark (Alfre Woodard), Gerry convinces Curtis to go with him on a gambling road trip along the Mississippi River.

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After premiering at Sundance Film Festival, Mississippi Grind landed distribution with A24 before making the awards circuit rounds. Due to an unusual release model, the film made little to no returns at the box office. Despite this setback, the film still enjoyed positive reviews and landed on Showtime for streaming.

Short Term 12 (Destin Daniel Cretton, 2013)

Short Term 12 follows Grace (Brie Larson), a group home supervisor who is constantly dealing with her own problems in addition to helping the children at her facility. When Grace is forced to make a decision that could change her life forever, she must keep herself from spiraling alongside the kids that she cares for.

Based on his college short film of the same name, Cretton's sophomore feature was a favorite on the awards circuit, landing on the Top 10 lists of several festivals. While Larson received most of the acting praise, the film co-stars John Gallagher Jr. as Grace's boyfriend Mason and features supporting performances from Rami Malek, Kaitlyn Dever, and LaKeith Stanfield, the last of whom also appeared in the original short.

Creed (Ryan Coogler, 2015)

Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson - Creed

A continuation of the Rocky franchise, the Black Panther director's second film follows Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of Rocky Balboa's friend and rival Apollo Creed. After quitting his finance job, Adonis pursues training with Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) himself, hoping to follow in his father's footsteps.

Creed was critically and financially successful, winning 44 awards and making $173.6 million at the worldwide box office. Reviewers praised Jordan and Stallone's performances, the latter of which was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars, almost 40 years after being nominated for Best Actor for the same role in Rocky.

Henry V (Kenneth Branagh, 1989)

Kenneth Branagh in Henry V

A lifelong admirer and performer of Shakespeare, Kenneth Branagh's first directorial effort for the screen is widely considered to be one of the best film adaptations of the playwright's work. Henry V follows the titular character's campaign to take the rule of France, culminating in the Battle of Agincourt.

The film drew praise for Branagh's passionate performance as King Henry V and his accessible direction. Branagh would go on to be nominated for both Best Actor and Best Director at the Oscars, and the film's success allowed him to go on to direct more Shakespeare film adaptations of Much Ado About NothingHamlet, and As You Like It, as well as more modern works like Thor.

Half Nelson (Ryan Fleck, 2006)

Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson

An adaptation of Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden's short Gowanus, Brooklyn, their debut feature follows Dan (Ryan Gosling), an inner-city middle school teacher who forms a friendship with one of his students, Drey (Shareeka Epps). However, things get complicated when she discovers that Dan has a drug habit.

Half Nelson would go on to win 29 awards and receive the first Best Actor Oscar nomination for Ryan Gosling, the 8th youngest actor to earn one. Notable amongst the supporting roles is Anthony Mackie, who plays Frank, a neighborhood drug dealer that encourages Drey to become involved in his business.

Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler, 2013)

Michael B. Jordan in Fruitvale Station

Made shortly after Ryan Coogler finished USC's graduate film program, Fruitvale Station follows the events leading to the death of Oscar Grant, a young man killed by a police officer in Oakland, California in 2009. From Oakland himself, Coogler felt compelled to tell Grant's story and show what his life meant to his family.

Supported by Sundance's Feature Film Program and producer Forest Whitaker, Fruitvale Station would go on to win 39 awards and receive all-around praise for star Michael B. Jordan. The film also stars Octavia Spencer as Wanda Johnson, Grant's mother, and was filmed by Rachel Morrison, who would go on to be the first woman nominated for Best Cinematography at the Oscars later in her career for Mudbound.

The Rider (Chloé Zhao, 2017)

The second film from Eternals director Chloé Zhao, The Rider follows Brady (Brady Jandreau), a former rodeo star that suffers from brain damage and seizures after having a life-threatening accident. As he recovers, Brady tries to take care of his health and his family while fighting the growing urge to get back on a horse.

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With a cast of untrained actors, Zhao's docu-fiction was inspired by the real-life experiences of her cowboy subject. Zhao had met Brady while making her previous film Songs My Brothers Taught Me, and decided that his story was the one she wanted to tell next. Winning 24 awards, the film was on many critics' best of the year lists for 2017, giving Zhao the career momentum to direct her future films.

Nomadland (Chloé Zhao, 2020)

Nomadland Fern standing near her trailer, outside in the sunshine

Operating in the same docu-fiction style, Chloe Zhao's follow-up to The Rider stars Frances McDormand as Fern, a former factory worker who chooses to live in a van after her husband dies and she is laid off. The story follows the difficulties and joys of living on the road and features several supporting performances from modern nomads playing versions of themselves.

McDormand, already attached to produce the project, approached Zhao to direct Nomadland after seeing The Rider at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. Premiering at the 2020 Venice Film Festival, Nomadland won the top honor, immediately becoming a frontrunner for the rest of the awards season. It would go on to win 3 Oscars for Best Director (Zhao), Best Actress (McDormand), and Best Picture.

NEXT: 10 Best Comedies By MCU Directors