“Alternate Realities and Missed Opportunities: The Russo Brothers’ Shocking ‘Avengers’ Revelation” In the vast expanse of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), every creative decision has the potential to reshape the very fabric of the franchise. For fans of the iconic ‘Avengers’ series, the thought of a different iteration of the team, with a twist that would have drastically altered the trajectory of the movies, is both intriguing and thought-provoking. In a recent bombshell revelation, acclaimed directors Anthony and Joe Russo, the masterminds behind ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ have dropped a surprising admission that has left the movie world reeling. According to the Russo Brothers, they initially turned down the opportunity to helm ‘The Avengers’ with a game-changing twist: Robert Downey Jr. was set to play the villainous Doctor Doom, not Tony Stark/Iron Man. As the brothers themselves confessed, “We were
Russo Brothers Reveal They Turned Down ‘Avengers’ With Robert Downey Jr. As Doom Initially: “We Were Resistant For A While”
The media narrative around the Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony, returning to Marvel is that they struggled with their expensive and critically-derided AGBO films (“The Grey Man,” “Cherry”) licked their wounds, and returned to Marvel to get paid and change their overall fortune. But that might not be entirely accurate. In a new interview with Omelete, the sibling filmmaking pair revealed that they initially turned down “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” even with Robert Downey Jr. attached as Doctor Doom.
“That was Kevin [Feige],” Joe Russo said about who came up with the idea for Downey Jr. to return to Marvel as the iconic villain. “Interestingly enough about that, that conversation was had a while ago,” he added, suggesting it was a concept floated years ago. Moreover, when pitched the concept of Downey as Doom in the Avengers movies, they initially turned it down.
“Then Robert tried to talk us into doing [the Avengers movies] and we said ‘no.’ Weirdly, because we said we wouldn’t come back. We just didn’t have a story,” Joe Russo revealed, suggesting that Downey as Doom wasn’t enough and they needed a stronger narrative reason to return. “We didn’t have a way in. We were resistant for a while.”
Robert Downey Jr.’s Involvement
One half of the Markus and McFeely—the duo that wrote all their previous four Marvel films—Stephen McFeely that cracked the code and pitched it to them. “One day, [writer] Stephen McFeely, one of our chief collaborators, said, ‘I have an idea,’” and the pair were lit up by it and immediately said yes. “We went, ‘That’s the story!’ That story has to be told; it’s a really powerful story!”
The Screenwriting Team’s Dynamics
Much of this story already jibes with what was reported: that Robert Downey Jr. would not sign on to the new ‘Avengers’ movies unless the Russo Brothers were directing, and this clearly took some convincing and a narrative purpose. Additionally, this makes sense because Christopher Markus is not part of the next two ‘Avengers’ movies, sitting out for the first time in the history of the Russos and the screenwriting pair’s collaboration.
The reasons for Markus’ absence were a mystery until recently. The screenwriter told Gizmoposts24 exclusively in a conversation about the Russo Brother’s recent release, “The Electric State,” that he simply had to choose either Marvel or many AGBO projects that hadn’t gotten off the ground, and he ultimately chose the homegrown projects because they were personal and not territory he had already covered.
The Future of the Avengers Franchise
“Avengers: Doomsday” is set for a May 1, 2026, release. “Avengers: Secret Wars” will arrive on May 7, 2027. Watch the entire interview below.
The media narrative around the Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony, returning to Marvel is that they struggled with their expensive and critically-derided Agbo films licked their wounds, and returned to Marvel to get paid and change their overall fortune. But that might not be entirely accurate. In a new interview with Omelete, the sibling filmmaking pair revealed that they initially turned down “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” even with Robert Downey Jr. Continue reading Russo Brothers Reveal They Turned Down ‘Avengers’ With Robert Downey Jr. As Doom Initially: “We Were Resistant For A While” at Gizmoposts24.
Conclusion
In a shocking revelation, the Russo Brothers, directors of some of Marvel’s most iconic films, have shared that they initially turned down the opportunity to helm ‘Avengers’ with Robert Downey Jr. in the role of Doom, a decision that would have significantly altered the course of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. According to the directors, they were resistant to the idea for a while, weighing the pros and cons of taking on such a massive project. The Russo Brothers’ initial hesitation highlights the immense pressure and risks associated with directing a high-profile film like ‘Avengers,’ and the importance of finding the right creative vision to bring such a massive project to life.
The significance of this revelation cannot be overstated, as it offers a unique glimpse into the inner workings of Marvel’s decision-making process and the factors that drive creative choices in the film industry. The implications of this decision are far-reaching, as it would have meant a significantly different trajectory for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, potentially altering the narrative arcs of beloved characters and franchises. The Russo Brothers’ eventual acceptance of the project, however, led to some of the most iconic moments in cinematic history, cementing their legacy as visionary directors and solidifying Marvel’s dominance in the world of superhero films.
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