Joe Russo

Biography

Joseph Vincent Russo is an American director, producer, and screenwriter who, alongside his brother Anthony Russo, stands as one of the highest-grossing filmmakers in cinema history. After reshaping the modern blockbuster landscape with Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, the pair focused on building their independent studio, AGBO, into a global entertainment powerhouse. In 2026, Joe Russo is orchestrating the year's most anticipated cinematic event. He is co-directing "Avengers: Doomsday", scheduled for release on December 18, 2026. The film marks the Russos' dramatic return to Marvel Studios to steer the franchise toward the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga. The project reunites them with Robert Downey Jr., who headlines the film as the villainous Doctor Doom, and features a massive ensemble cast including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and a returning Chris Evans. On the streaming front, Russo remains a central figure at Amazon MGM Studios. He directed all episodes of "Citadel" Season 2, which is set to premiere in Spring 2026 after a strategic production delay. Following the mixed reception of the first season, Russo has taken a more hands-on creative role to course-correct the spy franchise, integrating storylines from international spinoffs into the main narrative. His previous directorial effort, "The Electric State", was released on Netflix in March 2025. Starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, the retro-futuristic film was a viewership hit but faced a polarized critical reception, sparking industry debate over its extensive use of digital effects and AI tools in post-production. As a producer, Russo continues to shepherd the "Extraction" franchise, with a third installment starring Chris Hemsworth scheduled to begin principal photography in mid-2026.