Jon Favreau is no stranger to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having directed the first two Iron Man films, as well as serving as a producer on the first two Avengers films. But recently, he has stepped away to direct the successful live-action version of The Jungle Book, a film that was already set to get a sequel prior to hitting theaters this past weekend. So it’s safe to say the Favreau has been rather busy over the past few years.
While doing press for The Jungle Book, Digital Spy was able to chat with the director to talk about his future involvement with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and per Favreau, he’ll be working with the Russo brothers on the upcoming Avengers films.
“I’m going to be executive producing the Avengers films with the Russo brothers, which I’m very excited about,” Favreau told Digital Spy. “I talk to them about it all the time. I’ve worked both in front of and behind the camera with Marvel and I really love what they’re doing right now.
Of course, the next Avengers films are Avengers: Infinity War Part I and Avengers: Infinity War Part II, which are the epic culminations of the world Marvel has created. With all of the detail that is going into the creation of this film, this seems like a great time for anybody with involvement in the MCU to jump back in.
“It’s a really exciting time to be over there. I’ve seen a rough cut of Civil War and it’s fantastic.
Since Favreau has kept busy with projects outside of the MCU, part of the reason for his lack of recent involvement is scheduling.
“We’re constantly looking for things to do together. And now I’m freed up.”
But scheduling isn’t the only reason he’s been away. The director and producer is trying to decide the level of variety he should have in his career.
“The question is, do I want to do something else in the superhero genre?” Favreau continued.
“I’ve spent a big chunk of my career working on that already. All new titles are coming out now.”
In fact, this desire for variety is why he didn’t stay on board to direct Iron Man 3 after the success of Iron Man and Iron Man 2. However, he isn’t feeling this fatigue after his most recent project.
“I’m actually surprised I don’t feel that way about The Jungle Book already, but with Iron Man, I’d done two back to back,” he says.
“My time was completely monopolized for those years and I wanted allowed to explore other things.
It sounds like Favreau won’t be returning to direct any large Marvel films himself anytime soon. But his involvement means that he will bring some of the continuity from the earliest days of the MCU, ensuring that Infinity War will be as epic as it sounds like it is building up to be. While the films are only in the draft stages of being scripted, we will get to see Avengers: Inifinity War Part 1 in May of 2018. What do you think of this news?
Source: Digital Spy
