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The Business

Joe and Anthony Russo on 'Captain America: Civil War'

The abundant action in Marvel's Captain America: Civil War, begins when world governments move to restrict the activities of the Marvel superheroes to dial back the collateral damage that occurs when bad guys have to be taken down.

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By Kim Masters • May 6, 2016 • 1 min read

The abundant action in Marvel's Captain America: Civil War, begins when world governments move to restrict the activities of the Marvel superheroes to dial back the collateral damage that occurs when bad guys have to be taken down. Iron Man, played, obviously, by Robert Downey Jr., agrees to go but along but Captain America, or Chris Evans, isn't so sure.

Soon the superheroes are split into opposing camps, leading to so many battles that it's amazing even two directors could handle it all. That was a job for brothers Joe and Anthony Russo.

Not unlike many of their super-subjects, the brothers had an unassuming start -- two cinephiles who grew up in Cleveland, inspired by indie icons like Robert Rodriguez and the Coen brothers.

The two decided to make a movie of their own, which they paid for with credit cards. Their film, Pieces, got into Slamdance in 1997, where it caught the eye of Steven Soderbergh, who became a mentor to the Russo's and produced their next film.

Anthony and Joe Russo tell us how they then ended up directing quirky, critically acclaimed TV shows like Arrested Development and Community. It was a paintball action spoof episode of the latter show that ultimately led to a meeting with Marvel's Kevin Feige.

Now, the brothers will call Marvel home for the next several years. After their two Captain America movies, they're signed up to do two more films, this time as part of the Avengers series. Still, they say, working on such big movies hasn't changed their sensibilities too much -- they insist they've still got that indie spirit at heart.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Kim Masters

    partner/writer at Puck News, host of KCRW's “The Business.”

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Kaitlin Parker

    Producer, 'The Business' and 'Hollywood Breakdown'

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    Joe Russo

    film and television director

  • KCRW placeholder

    Anthony Russo

    film and television director

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