Are the Russo Brothers actually going to save the Marvel Cinematic Universe? The directing duo reveal the most important thing they want to do with their return to the franchise.
The MCU has had a rough past few years. The franchise has been flooded with criticism from super fans and general audiences alike. From controversial Disney Plus rollouts to inconsistent quality with some of their more off-the-wall releases, the franchise is truly in a “do or die” moment with the end of the Multiverse Saga. And with the studio’s trump card being the Russo Brothers making their return to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, fans are worried the gamble might not pay off.
However, it seems as though the duo has a plan for their return. Beyond simply making good movies, the Russo Brothers are seemingly going to try to use Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars to craft the MCU for years to come. When speaking with The Sunday Times, Anthony Russo explained that one of the things that’s most important to him about the franchise was the centralized narrative. And that’s something he wants to bring back.
“Yes, the MCU has got quite large, that’s for sure. I mean, frankly, we struggle with that same issue. But part of the reason Joe and I decided to go back is exactly what you’re talking about. There needs to be more of a central narrative. That was something we were very specific about when we worked with Marvel [before]. We would like to bring the focused narrative back.”
Does The MCU Need A Focused Narrative?
This quote may have fans perking up about the Russo Brothers’ return with Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, as it seems that they’ll be resolving one of the biggest complaints with the franchise. However, it’s important to analyze it in the context of history. For one, the MCU never truly had a “focused narrative”. It’s biggest threads were only connected in the back half of the Infinity Saga. And even then, projects like Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange were basically entirely separated from the universe until the very end.
It’s also important to note that, during the time the Russo Brothers were active in the MCU, the franchise was a trailblazer. This is far from true now that they’re set to return for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. The potentially worrying aspect about this is that, while Marvel may be falling back to their own tricks with a “focused narrative”, DC Studios is trying to make every project feel distinct, putting artist expression above a grand vision. And with box office success dwindling for both Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery, it’s likely the better strategy will be revealed in the next few years.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters in May 2026. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
