Should Fans Be Excited for the Russo Bros.' Return to Marvel After THE ELECTRIC STATE Is a Dud?
As you know, Joe and Anthony Russo are back in the director’s chairs for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. That was exciting news for a lot of fans because these are the guys who gave us Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame, some of the best films in the MCU.
But after seeing what they've done since leaving Marvel, especially with their most recent film, The Electric State, I’m pumping the brakes on the excitement.
Their post-Endgame track record is rough. They took big swings with films, but none of them landed. Cherry? 37% on Rotten Tomatoes. The Gray Man? 47%. The Electric State? A brutal 18%.
And it’s not like these guys weren’t given resources! These movies had massive budgets, star-studded casts, and the freedom to tell whatever stories they wanted. Yet, the results have been… underwhelming. Clunky scripts, poor direction, and forgettable storytelling have plagued their work outside the MCU.
So, does that mean their return to Marvel will be a disaster? Not necessarily. They know how to play in that sandbox, and Marvel’s collaborative approach has clearly worked in their favor before. But their recent track record proves that just because they’re back, doesn’t mean we’re guaranteed another movie as great as Endgame.
Sure, Doomsday and Secret Wars will be packed with spectacle, tons of Marvel characters, wild action, and visually stunning awesomeness. But the real question is, can they go back and start telling great stories again?
The Russos have something to prove now, and after The Electric State, I’m not sure they still have what it takes. It’s like they went backwards with their filmmaking skills.
For now, I’m tempering expectations. Marvel’s got a lot riding on these films, and they are paying the filmmakers a ridiculous amount of money, but the Russos have the opportunity to prove that they’ve still got it. I hope that manage to pull this off and gi ve us two more incredible Marvel films.
What do you think?