Last week, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame co-director Joe Russo uploaded a cheeky video to Instagram in which he poked fun at Martin Scorcese, who's famously (or infamously, depending on who you ask) had his critcisms with the MCU and its effect on the film industry. While it's pretty much just a playful jab, it nonetheless fanned the flames of a years-old debate among movie buffs.
The video is a response to one uploaded by Scorcese's daughter Francesca, and features the legendary director talking to his dog Oscar. It's funny and adorable, truly an Oscar-worthy performance from both man and best friend. Joe Russo stitched the video holding his own dog, who happens to be a schnauzer just like Oscar.
When the video cuts to Russo, he says, "Oh look, he’s got a schnauzer! I love schnauzers! And his name is Oscar; that’s really cute.” The camera pans back to reveal a schnauzer in Russo's arms before he looks down at the dog and says, “Ok come on, Box Office."
While you probably don't need the joke explained, it's an obvious callout to the long-running beef regarding Scorsese's views on the MCU's hold over the box office. While Russo's video was definitely tongue-in-cheek, the internet's response was swift: basically, now that he's dished it out, he's gotta take it.
One Instagram user, named tomcruisegreenlantern, commented, "Naming my next dog 'replacing my employees with AI because they want to be treated better' " in a jab that goes back to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike negotiations.
Cinesthetic on Twitter reworked the popular "I feel bad for you." / "I don't think about you at all," meme from Mad Men into an exchange between Russo and Scorcese respectively.
Joe Russo Martin Scorsese https://t.co/ncv8iqd636 pic.twitter.com/cYbZUipQD3
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) October 29, 2023
Other pretty sick burns followed.
All this means is now Joe Russo knows Martin Scorsese’s dog’s name and Martin Scorsese still doesn’t know Joe Russo’s name https://t.co/PwtUiZomEt
— Josh Raby (@JoshRaby) October 29, 2023
Joe Russo finding out the people don't play about Martin Scorsese pic.twitter.com/KfVmcG5Dys
— ART (@armonz2408) October 30, 2023
But for some, it was more than a cute joke. Russo's video could've been interpereted as mocking Killers of the Flower Moon's opening weekend performance compared to those of his own megaton hits, and it clearly rubbed some people the wrong way.
Film writer Louis Peitzman took to Twitter and said, "In 50 years no one will know who Joe Russo is."
In 50 years no one will know who Joe Russo is. https://t.co/tTd6Vf4yn7
— Louis Peitzman (@LouisPeitzman) October 29, 2023
I'm guessing Russo thinks this is "playful," but he comes across as a giant bitter loser here. The only bigger losers are the mouth-breathing chuds who say things like "Joe Russo just destroyed Martin Scorsese."
— BooMcScreamy (@DrewMcWeeny) October 29, 2023
Trust me, you sweet summer child... no, he did not. https://t.co/hVVzcEdcEP
When you all grow up and watch Martin Scorsese's movies, he will make a fool out of you all in the kindest possible way, by entertaining you. He wants you to enjoy the art of film, not a level of commerciality. Something you don't understand if you think Joe Russo "cooked" him. pic.twitter.com/QEBNN8bkIN
— Skyward (@skywardknight94) October 29, 2023
Scorcese's comments and thoughts on the MCU are well-known. We've covered his comments on the matter for years now, all the way back to 2019, when the Oscar winner said, "What's not there is revelation, mystery or genuine emotional danger. Nothing is at risk." The Marvel movies clearly aren't his bag, but most of his arguments center around franchise culture defining movies as a whole, rather than being one slice of the pie.
Thumbnail credit: Getty Images
