Top 5 MCU Directors Of All Time

Marvel

Nov 22

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is an expansive vast library of films drawing upon one of the greatest treasure troves of intellectual property the world has ever seen. But after almost fifteen years of films, who amongst the directors is the best the universe has ever seen? Each film varies in character depth, narrative, and action sequences, but continues to remain cohesive to tell a broader, more in-depth story about this universe of characters continuing to change and grow before fans’ eyes. Let’s take a look at a few directors who have left a mark within the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the better.

5. Joss Whedon

Bringing together a team of heroes would be daunting for any filmmaker, especially heroes with such a cherished history. In 2012, Joss Whedon made The Avengers, a film showing each character’s unique strengths and weaknesses while battling for Earth against Loki and his alien army.

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Whedon showed the struggles between the heroes as a team and within themselves. Tony Stark was used to working independently, and being a part of a team wasn’t within his lexicon of words. Steve Rogers, freshly awoken from the Arctic ice, was questioning the new world he found himself in, and Thor wanted to make peace with his brother and whether he belonged on earth. The film introduced Mark Ruffalo as the MCU’s Dr. Bruce Banner, the Hulk. And it was Ruffalo’s mild, modest effort in the character bringing depth and nuance to his performance.

Whedon helmed the director’s chair for the sequel, Avengers: Age of Ultron, which further explored themes of how the team could come together when humanity needed them the most.

4. James Gunn

When James Gunn was announced as the newest director in the MCU to helm a film about a group of mercenary misfits, many in Marvel fandom were skeptical. However, the film was praised when Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 1 was released. Gunn could bring together a new team for the MCU, but a team of characters only a few within the culture knew. Gunn’s film was received enthusiastically for his light-hearted style, stellar soundtrack, and galactic aspect, which the MCU only nodded to with particular characters at the time.

Gunn made a film that didn’t take itself too seriously. That made audiences feel they didn’t have to see the previous MCU films to understand what was happening next. Gunn made the MCU fun and exciting yet enticing through the poignant development of his characters.

3. Ryan Coogler

Ryan Cooler — Image Source: The Los Angeles Times

2018’s Black Panther by Ryan Coogler blended a superhero film with social commentary by addressing heritage, identity, and responsibility for the community around you. The action sequences in the film were choreographed meticulously with a few of the best camerawork I’ve seen in a superhero film.

Ryan Coogler’s storytelling abilities are unparalleled as he handled the creation and completion of the sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever without Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away in 2020. Angela Bassett delivered a jaw-dropping performance along with Letitia Wright, which was all encouraged by Coogler.

2. Anthony And Joe Russo

Known professionally as The Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony Russo’s mark on the Marvel Cinematic Universe is almost as endemic as Jon Favreau’s. Their story began with 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, considered by many fans and critics as the best Marvel film, short of Avengers, showcasing the entire team. The duo then completed Captain America’s third film, Captain America: Civil War, which was equally terrific as their initial effort on Captain America: The Winer Solider.

And from their work on these two films, of weaving in new characters and providing thought-provoking conflict between Marvel Studios’ most beloved characters, Kevin Feige chose the brothers to complete the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Saga with the last two team-up films, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. In Avengers: Infinity War, the brothers reunited Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to battle Thanos, only lose. In Avengers: Endgame, the brothers delivered a satisfying, almost tear-jerking conclusion to nearly a decade of cinematic storytelling.

1. Jon Favreau

There wouldn’t be a Marvel Cinematic Universe without Jon Favreau. In 2008, the world learned to root for a “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist” with a miniature arc reactor for a heart in Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr’s career-defining performance as Tony Stark throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe reinvigorated his career at the time and made him the MCU's face.

Favreau made a film about a selfish Elon Musk type who learned to think beyond his own needs to help the world around him: to use his abilities and talents to help humankind versus making a dollar off the lives of innocent civilians during wars.

And it was Favreau’s direction in Iron Man that provided Kevin Feige and the team at Marvel Studios the impetus to invest in the successful storytelling of other popular characters: Thor, Captain America, and Black Panther. This film allowed Feige to unite these characters in films such as The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Infinity Wars. Even if you aren’t a fan of the comics or the films themselves, there aren’t many people on planet Earth who haven’t heard of these films. Thank you, Favreau.

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