‘Avengers: Endgame’ Directors Reveal They Would Have Handled the ‘Star Wars’ Sequel Trilogy Very Differently
It feels like just a matter of time until Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In fact, with as big of an impact as they’ve made on the MCU, it’s quite possible they’ll find their way into another Disney-owned franchise at some point.
Although nothing’s currently in the works (that we know of), the Russo brothers might be on a collision course with Star Wars. The filmmakers even recently chimed in about how the sequel trilogy — which ended with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker — would have changed under their watch.
Two insanely popular Disney-owned sagas came to a close in 2019
Over the years, Disney has acquired huge companies like Pixar and Fox. But its acquisitions of both Marvel and Lucasfilm have arguably been the most profitable. After all, the MCU and Star Wars are two of the biggest movie series of all time. And 2019 proved to be a pivotal year for both.
Few fans thought either franchise would truly end. But Avengers: Endgame and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker did each mark the end of an era. The MCU finally brought its “Infinity Saga” to a close, ending the stories of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America (Chris Evans). Likewise, Star Wars vowed to — at last — step away from the Skywalker family.
In the end, both movies were financially successful. But Avengers: Endgame proved to be much more beloved by audiences and critics alike. Many fans consider The Rise of Skywalker to be a lackluster-at-best conclusion to 42 years of storytelling, leaving Star Wars in a rough spot.
The directors of ‘Avengers: Endgame’ weighed in on ‘Star Wars’
Considering the MCU’s success relative to Star Wars, Coming Soon seized the chance to ask the Russo brothers for their take on the Star Wars sequel trilogy. After all, Disney has faced a great deal of divisiveness among fans for the sequel trilogy’s creative direction (or lack thereof).
“I think being such Star Wars fanatics, we would’ve probably focused on the Luke Skywalker story,” Joe Russo said. “And so, to me, there was the potential for three movies focusing on that arc coming to completion. But different choices you can make.”
Earlier versions of The Force Awakens actually did center on the original trilogy characters. But in an effort to revive the series for a new generation, the Star Wars sequels instead introduced Rey (Daisy Ridley) as the trilogy’s hero. And Luke’s story has been among the most contentious topics for fans.
Joe and Anthony Russo could end up working within the ‘Star Wars’ saga
The big-screen future of the Star Wars saga is currently in development. Taika Waititi will co-write and direct an upcoming movie. The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson reportedly is attached to his own trilogy. And then there’s one project in the works from Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige.
That last movie feels like the perfect opportunity for the Russo brothers to step into the “galaxy far, far away.” The filmmaking duo has more than proven itself to Disney. So it’s very possible Feige or even Disney executives are looking to hand the Russos a directing gig in the Star Wars universe. So fans should prepare themselves for that possible announcement.
