Controversy Erupts as Avengers: Endgame Director Joe Russo Mocks Martin Scorsese's Box Office Success
Joe Russo faces backlash for his ill-advised joke about Martin Scorsese, leaving fans and industry insiders disappointed
Article Overview
Joe Russo, director of Avengers: Endgame, faces criticism for mocking Martin Scorsese's box office performances in a video response.
Russo's video mocking Scorsese's relatively lower box office performance has sparked online criticism. Russo's previous blockbuster movies, such as Avengers: Endgame, have achieved remarkable success at the box office, currently holding the second highest global box office record.
Avengers: Endgame director Joe Russo faces criticism for his remarks on Martin Scorsese's box office success. As one half of the renowned directing duo, The Russo Brothers, Joe Russo has helmed several blockbuster films, including Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, and Captain America: Civil War. Each of these films reigned supreme at the box office, with Avengers: Endgame currently holding the second position for highest worldwide grossing film of all time.
Russo took to Instagram to respond to Scorsese, playfully poking fun at his comparatively modest box office figures. In a video, Russo reacts to Scorsese's recent TikTok featuring his adorable "muse": his dog, Oscar. Seamlessly blending the two clips, Russo includes footage of himself and his own furry companion, whimsically exclaiming, "Alright, let's go, Box Office."
Russo's condescending remark, "Aw look, he's got a schnauzer! I love schnauzers," was accompanied by his caption, "it appears we have the same muse," in the video. This reaction video has faced online backlash, triggering an exchange of mocking comments about how deeply Scorsese has affected these individuals, who have developed a one-sided relationship through his daughter's charming TikTok videos.
Zoe Rose Bryant highlighted the strangeness of this occurrence, stating that "it's truly bewildering to see someone make feuding with Martin Scorsese their entire identity."
Others directly attacked Russo, with Beyond Fest referring to him as "an untalented and privileged director who got lucky when Feige pulled him out of obscurity and allowed him to be part of the team."
Louis Peitzman highlighted that Russo's legacy has slim prospects, suggesting that Joe Russo will not be recognized in 50 years. In contrast, Scorsese has been directing for over half a century.
Concluding his thought, Guy Lodge frankly expressed, "This is incredibly tragic."
Joe Russo’s Martin Scorsese Joke Is In Poor Taste
Russo's jab at Scorsese follows the recent news of Killers of the Flower Moon experiencing a significant decline in box office revenue. After its second weekend, the film saw a 61% drop in box office earnings, making Russo's comment especially harsh.
Despite the criticism, Killers of the Flower Moon continues to receive high praise from critics. Additionally, Scorsese remains renowned as one of the most influential and productive directors in history. In comparison, Russo's arguments are lacking substance and appear absurd when compared to the accomplishments of the highly regarded filmmaker.
Editor's P/S
As a fan of both Joe Russo and Martin Scorsese, I am disappointed by Russo's recent comments mocking Scorsese's box office success. While Russo's films have achieved great commercial success, it is unfair to compare them to Scorsese's, who has been making films for over five decades and has a much more diverse body of work. Additionally, Russo's comments seem to diminish the importance of critical acclaim, which Scorsese's films have received in abundance.
I understand that Russo was likely trying to make a joke, but it was in poor taste and has overshadowed the release of his new film, Killers of the Flower Moon. I hope that Russo will apologize to Scorsese and that they can move on from this controversy. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy the films of both directors.
