Marvel’s Russo Brothers says superhero fatigue not the reason for underperforming projects

"It's a Hollywood-wide issue, not just a Marvel one," Avengers’ directors say industry is in a transitional phase.

The Russo Brothers, known for their blockbuster Marvel films like "Captain America: Civil War" and "Avengers: Endgame," don't think superhero fatigue is the main reason for the studio's recent less-than-stellar performance.  

They believe the challenges Marvel faces reflect a larger shift in the way media is consumed and how audiences engage with stories.

"It's a Hollywood-wide issue, not just a Marvel one," Joe Russo told GamesRadar+. "We're in a transitional period where people are still figuring out how they want stories delivered and what kinds of stories they want."

He points to a generational divide in media consumption habits. Older audiences are accustomed to scheduled viewing experiences at theatres, while the younger generation demands instant gratification and rapid consumption.  Russo notes, "...the new generation are ‘I want it now, I want to process it now’, then moving onto the next thing..."

This rapid shift, where communication often boils down to "memes and headlines," challenges the traditional two-hour movie format.  Russo believes a reinvention of that format is imminent.

Anthony Russo agrees, attributing audience unrest to a general fatigue rather than specifically targeting superhero films. Superhero fatigue discussions predate even their time with Marvel, yet genres like Westerns survived similar complaints by continually reinventing themselves.

With the comic book movie genre in the spotlight, stars like Paul Dano ("The Batman") told the Independent that he sees potential benefits in this period of uncertainty, hoping it may bring about fresh cinematic approaches. Joseph Quinn, preparing to join the MCU in the new "Fantastic Four," told Entertainment Weekly that remains optimistic, focusing on the distinct narrative and talent associated with the project.

You can find the Russo Brothers' full discussion of these issues on GamesRadar+.