Despite their monumental success with Marvel’s Avengers films, the Russo Brothers admire the creator of the DC Extended Universe Zack Snyder for his approach to visualizing his movies. Having worked under the MCU and DC, respectively, both the filmmaking duo and Snyder are renowned for their contributions to comic book movies.
However, their approach to bringing their vision to the screen differs significantly. Snyder prefers to visualize the story through detailed storyboards, a skill that the Avengers: Endgame filmmakers couldn’t help but envy.
Zack Snyder Reveals the Secret Weapon Behind His Cinematic Magic
During a conversation with Joe Russo and Anthony Russo on the Pizza Film School podcast, Zack Snyder discussed his method of visualizing the stories for his movies. The filmmaker explained that he approaches the process through sketches and detailed storyboards.
“I really try and generate as much art as I can on a sequence, or even the set design and everything,” he said. The Rebel Moon director shared that the storyboards help in finalizing the details regarding a sequence or the set design. He explained,
When you draw the storyboard… I’m like oh the door really needs to be hinged on the on this side — I think that over time that one part of it as far as the specificity of the drawings, and like look really does need to [be] in order. Because if actually if you flip the door, it kind of everything’s like when he opens it now he’s covered.
However, he also acknowledged that not everyone shares his enthusiasm for these meticulous details in the storyboards. “Everyone would be like, ‘Oh… like how seriously does he take this right,” Zack Snyder noted.
However, Snyder emphasized that storyboards play a crucial role in visualizing sequences and set designs accurately, ensuring all elements are meticulously planned. The detailed planning comes in handy in getting everyone on the same page and anticipating any potential issues.
Russo Brothers Express Jealousy For Zack Snyder’s Talent
Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, the directing duo renowned for helming MCU blockbusters like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, candidly expressed their admiration for Snyder’s approach to story visualization through artistic storyboards
“I’m so jealous because Joe and I are like, we can’t draw to save our lives,” Anthony Russo said, as he praised the Army of the Dead director’s approach. “First of all, you can just see how it translates to your filmmaking how your filmmaking is so elevated because of that process,” he elaborated.
Joe Russo humorously added that they usually rely on “stick figures” when it comes to conceptualizing scenes. “So, it’s stick figures and napkins you know,” he quipped, while acknowledging their dependence on collaborators who assist in visualizing sequences for their blockbuster hits.
The Russo Brothers are known for making some of the best movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, from Captain America: The Winter Soldier to Avengers: Endgame. Serving as the culmination of Phase 3, Infinity War and Endgame are widely regarded as some of the finest comic book adaptations.
The films intricately weave together a decade-long journey of Marvel’s ensemble of superheroes, as they confront a supervillain aiming to eradicate half of the universe. With a perfect balance of drama, comedy, and action, these movies have not only secured their place as top-tier MCU entries but as some of the greatest comic book movies as well.
Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame are available to stream on Disney+.
