Every MCU Director's Best Film (NOT In The MCU)

Joe and Anthony Russo are still the most bizarre picks ever to direct an MCU movie. Prior to teaming up with Marvel they were known almost exclusively for directing and producing TV comedies like Arrested Development and Community.

Yet, it proved to be a masterstroke. Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a triumph, a 1970s-esque political thriller which cemented Steve Rogers as an icon of the silver screen. The Russos returned to successfully direct Captain America: Civil War before helming the big ones - Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame - to critical and commercial acclaim.

That said, their films outside of superhero blockbusters are, to put in nicely, not great. Welcome to Collinwood is a forgettable comedy and You, Me And Dupree is an unfunny comedy. That just leaves Cherry, which starred Tom Holland and was released on Apple TV+ earlier this year. The film is based on the semi-true story of Nico Walker, a young veteran whose crippling drug addiction leads him to a life of robbing banks.

Holland is certainly a very good actor, and the role is an excellent showcase of his dramatic abilities. But unfortunately, that is about all Cherry has going for it. The Russos' visual style is interesting for sure but in this case, it falls into the realm of style over substance. It is bold and risky movie, which, while admirable, was not executed at all well.

Let’s hope the upcoming The Gray Man is a return to form for the duo.