The “Jon Favreau Effect,” as we’re calling it right now, continues to dictate a lot of Marvel’s decisions for its movie adaptations, as similarly unconventional choices like Kenneth Branagh, Marc Webb, and Joss Whedon have all been handed the keys to the franchise kingdom with the hope they’ll have similar success. Marvel took less of a risk with its Joe Johnston-directed Captain America: The First Avenger, but according to Vulture, it’s reportedly feeling confident enough about the sequel that it may gamble on Anthony and Joseph Russo—two television directors best known for their work on Arrested Development, Happy Endings, and the reason you clicked on this article, Community. The Russos are part of a final shortlist that also includes George Nolfi, the Bourne Ultimatum screenwiter who made his directorial debut with The Adjustment Bureau, and F. Gary Gray, The Italian Job director who’s whittled out a niche of workmanlike cop dramas such as The Negotiator and Law Abiding Citizen, while also coasting on Friday and hoping that no one brings up Be Cool.
But enough about people who are not related to Community: The Russo Brothers have dabbled in features before—though without distinction—on the crime comedy Welcome To Collinwood and You, Me, And Dupree (which was its own type of crime comedy). More importantly, their Emmy-winning work on the Arrested Development pilot more or less established that series’ look and tone, leading to them being highly sought-after to do the same for other shows’ debut episodes, including those of Running Wilde, The Increasingly Poor Decisions Of Todd Margaret, Happy Endings, and, yes, Community. And on that lattermost show, they’ve been responsible for many of its bigger, more action-packed episodes such as “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" and “A Fistful Of Paintballs,” plus relatively quieter fan favorites like “Introduction To Film” and “Cooperative Calligraphy.” In short, they’ve deftly balanced fast-paced high concepts with smaller personal moments while juggling sprawling ensembles, and they’d certainly be an interesting choice that also Community Community Community.