Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed in a new book about the Marvel Cinematic Universe that he was inspired to hire directors Joe and Anthony Russo to helm 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier after seeing David Yates' trajectory with the Harry Potter franchise.
In an excerpt from The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Feige explains he was first drawn to the Russo brothers after seeing their work as producers and directors on several episodes of the NBC comedy series Community. Recalling Yates' success with the British television miniseries State of Play prior to signing on to direct Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Feige decided that Marvel might want to look for the director of The Winter Soldier in the world of television.
"Key to this idea was that, by 2012, the cinematic quality of television had surged," an excerpt from "Chapter Six: 2012" of The Story of Marvel Studios reads. "The perceived great divide between filmmaking, in a theatrical sense, and making television shows had shrunk considerably. Award-winning actors, directors, writers, and producers weren't just okay with taking TV projects they were seeking the best ones out."
Set after the events of the first Avengers film, Captain America: The Winter Soldier finds Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) joining forces with Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and new ally Falcon (Anthony Mackie) to expose an ever-widening conspiracy involving his old friend James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes (Sebastian Stan). In the same chapter From The Story of Marvel Studios, Anthony Russo explains that the opportunity to direct The Winter Solider "just came out of the blue -- we had not solicited for the film or anything."
Fans of the Harry Potter franchise may recall that, after directing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Yates returned for the final three films: 2009's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, 2010's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and 2011's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. He also directed the first two films in the Fantastic Beasts prequel franchise. Similarly, the Russo Brothers followed up directing The Winter Solider by helming 2016's Captain America: Civil War, 2018's Avengers: Infinity War and 2019's Avengers: Endgame.
All four MCU films directed by the Russo Brothers are streaming now on Disney+, while The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is available for purchase now.
Source: The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe