Only one week after Warner Bros.' Harry Potter finale hits theaters, Paramount launches Captain America: The First Avenger, another installment from the Marvel universe of characters. As with Thor, Marvel hopes to launch a superhero franchise with the film, starring Chris Evans as a would-be WWII soldier who undergoes an experimental procedure that transforms him into a fighting machine.
Watch the Captain America trailer
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Anthony and Joe Russo are close to finalizing a deal to direct the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger for Marvel Studios.
The brothers continue Marvel’s strategy of finding unorthodox helmers for their movies. The Russos are known more for their work in comedy, having directed You, Me & Dupree and directing and executive producing the low-rated but strongly followed NBC comedy Community.
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The Russos beat out George Nolfi, the Bourne Ultimatum writer who made his directorial debut with The Adjustment Bureau. The bake-off lasted the better part of a month, with the contenders forced to study The Avengers as part of their exam. F. Gary Gray also was an early contender.
Joe Johnston directed the first Captain America installment, starring Chris Evans as the titular hero. The movie, released in 2011 as part of Marvel’s road to Avengers, grossed $368 million worldwide.
The Russo are repped by WME and Jackoway Tyerman.
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