Joe Russo Says Harvey Weinstein ‘Vilified Mainstream Movies’ and Kept Blockbusters From Winning Major Awards: ‘Popular Films Were Winning Oscars Before the Mid ’90s’

“Avengers: Endgame” director Joe Russo blames Harvey Weinstein for keeping blockbusters out of awards season.

During a sit down with The Sunday Times, Russo said that the reason big budget, high grossing films are largely barred from major awards contention is because of a trend “started by Harvey Weinstein.”

“He vilified mainstream movies to champion the art films he pushed for Oscar campaigns,” Russo said. “Popular films were winning Oscars before the mid ’90s, then Weinstein started mudslinging campaigns…It affected how audiences view the Oscars, because they’ve not seen most of the movies. We’re in a complicated place. Things we should all be enjoying collectively we instead punch each other in the face over.”

He continued, “Like this argument that Marvel movies were killing cinema. Well, Marvel movies seemed to be keeping cinemas open for quite a long time.”

In the same interview, Russo spoke about the current predicament of the film industry, which is grappling with unparalleled challenges due to dwindling revenues and the looming threat posed by artificial intelligence. He attributes this struggle to a lack of unity and willingness to make concessions within Hollywood.

Russo stated that the movie industry, just like other fields, has grown to be highly contentious. It’s now all about who can make the most noise and attract attention with sensational headlines.

With his directing partner and brother, Anthony Russo, Joe Russo has helmed some of the most successful blockbusters of the 21st century under the once invincible Marvel banner. As a pair, they directed “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Captain America: Civil War.” Recently, the Russo Brothers have returned to the MCU to direct two of the franchise’s most anticipated tent poles: “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”

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2025-03-16 21:47