During a recent press tour for an NBC comedy, in which duo directors Anthony and Joseph Russo are executive producing, The Huffington Post caught up with Anthony to discuss their latest gig; Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While remaining mum on specific story details, the co-director discusses what makes he and his brother capable of helming the anticipated sequel, many ideal and intimidating aspects, and more.
On how they sold themselves to land the gig...
“We were comic book geeks from a young age and big fantasy geeks. We got to talk to them in detail about that history. They knew that we understood the brand really well and the characters really well. It was a long process, actually, of talking to them over and over again, through a series of meetings over a long period of time. And I think they just -- we were really passionate about the movie, incredibly passionate about the movie. They felt that, and they felt like it was the right match.”
On what appealed to them in Ed Brubaker's "Winter Soldier" comic-book story...
“Well, we like the [story.] I can't talk too much about specifics, that's the way Marvel handles things. I can say in general that there's sort of a darker, edgier sensibility at work there that we found appealing, and that is going find its way into Captain [America] in the modern day.”
On whether flashbacks to WW2 are possible...
“Certainly Cap has this complicated history. We're making the movie for first-time viewers, not just for fans, so, because Cap does have this complicated history -- he was this skinny guy who became a super-soldier, he was born back then and he's living [now] -- in the storytelling, you need to convey that to an audience who doesn't know Cap's story.”
On whether the expected heavy visual effects are intimidating...
“They said to us early on in the interview process, "We don't expect you to know anything [about special effects and so forth] -- you don't have to know everything about this stuff, because we're here for that." They're very respectful of directors. They're an amazing company to work with.”
On whether any comic book writers and creators have offered any advice...
“We're actually going to have lunch with Brubaker soon. But no, they haven't been involved. In the same way that they would develop a new comic-book series, they give its own space to develop. But certainly everybody is aware [of what's in the comics], has read everything, is aware of all their other material. But they do like each thing to be its own, organic process, which is nice”
On what from The Avengers would he like to interpret into the movie...
“For me, what I loved about the movie, which is what many if not most people loved about the movie, were the character interactions, those great character moments. You have people rubbing up against each other in a way that's exciting and combustible. While all the special effects and the adventure, the thrill and the danger [are] fun, it was those character-to-character interactions are the heart of the film. So that's what [we'll hope to have].”
For the extended interview with Anthony Russo, make the jump over to The Huffington Post!
Described as a political thriller, Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” will pick-up where the highly anticipated film “Marvel’s The Avengers” (May 4, 2012) leaves off, as Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) continues his affiliation with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and S.H.I.E.L.D and struggles to embrace his role in the modern world. With an expected return from James 'Bucky' Barnes (Sebastian Stan), actor Anthony Mackie is also set to star. And Anthony & Joe Russo (“Community,” “You, Me and Dupree”) take over directorial duties from Joe Johnston, who helmed the first film. And “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” hits theaters on April 4, 2014.