Russo brothers

Anthony Russo (born February 3, 1970) and Joseph Russo (born July 18, 1971), collectively known as the Russo brothers, are American directors, producers, and screenwriters. They direct most of their work together. They are best known for directing four films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). Endgame grossed over $2.798 billion worldwide, briefly becoming the highest-grossing film of all time.

The brothers have also worked as directors and producers on the comedy series Arrested Development (2003–2005), Community (2009–2014), and Happy Endings (2011–2012). They won a Primetime Emmy Award for Arrested Development.

Early life
Anthony Russo (born February 3, 1970) and Joseph Russo (born July 18, 1971) were born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the sons of Patricia Gallupoli and attorney and judge Basil Russo. Their parents are both of Italian descent. Their paternal and maternal families emigrated from Sicily and Abruzzo, respectively, and settled in Ohio. They attended Benedictine High School. Joe graduated from the University of Iowa and majored in English and writing, while Anthony graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and majored in business before switching to English.

Career
The Russo brothers were graduate students at Case Western Reserve University (where Anthony studied law and Joe studied acting at UEA) when they began directing, writing, and producing their first feature, Pieces. They financed the film with student loans and credit cards. After viewing Pieces at the Slamdance Film Festival, Steven Soderbergh approached the duo and offered to produce their next film, along with his producing partner George Clooney. This project was the crime comedy Welcome to Collinwood, starring William H. Macy, Sam Rockwell, and Clooney.

FX network executive Kevin Reilly hired the Russos to direct the pilot for the series Lucky, having liked the pair's work on Collinwood. Ron Howard was a fan of the pilot, and he had a hand in hiring the brothers to direct the pilot for Fox's Arrested Development.

In 2017, the brothers founded the production company AGBO.

The Russo brothers directed Avengers: Infinity War (2018), which became the first superhero movie to gross over $2 billion at the box office. They are the third directors to make a $2 billion movie after James Cameron's films Avatar and Titanic and J. J. Abrams's film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Its sequel, Avengers: Endgame, was released on April 26, 2019, broke numerous box office records, and became the second superhero movie to gross over $2 billion. They join James Cameron as the only directors to make two $2 billion films.

The brothers are financing the Los Angeles and Beijing joint-production company Anthem & Song, which is producing the Chinese superhero film The Hero's Awakening.

The Russos also served as producers of the film Everything Everywhere All At Once, written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The film, released in theatres in March 2022, is A24's highest-grossing film worldwide at the box office.

In 2024, the Russos entered early talks to direct a currently untitled fifth Avengers film as well as Avengers: Secret Wars for Marvel Studios.

Other Projects
In 2014, the Russos were attached to a Ghostbusters film intended to star Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt with a script written by Drew Pearce. However, the film was cancelled in 2016.

In April 2019, it was reported that the Russos were attached to a remake of Poltergeist. Though there have been no updates since.

In June 2019, the Russos were announced to be working on an animated series based on Magic: The Gathering for Netflix. Though they departed the project in 2021 due to creative differences.

In July 2019, the Russos revealed they would be executive producing an animated series based on the Grimjack comic series. They also announced they were developing a live action film adaptation of the anime series Battle of the Planets with the possibility of directing. Daniel Casey was hired to write the screenplay for Battle of the Planets in 2023.

In May 2023, the Russos revealed they had discussions to direct a Star Wars film developed by Kevin Feige and written by Michael Waldron before it was shelved two months prior.

Other

 * Fortnite Battle Royale - Season 6, Chapter 2 opening cinematic (co-directed, March 2021).