Podcast Mania: The Russo Brothers, Ava DuVernay, DC Comics, And More Announce New Podcasts
The Russo Brothers
Anthony and Joe Russo (Avengers: Endgame) have signed a multiyear podcast deal with Spotify, in which they will be creating “genre-based, interconnected stories across a slate of multiple podcasts, much like the shared universe stories that the Russo Brothers have come to be known for in their Marvel films,” according toThe Wrap. There aren’t any details yet about which genre these shows will be set in or who else will be involved, but considering the Russos have worked with some of the biggest actors in the world at this point, there’s a good chance these scripted shows will have some significant star power attached.
Their production banner AGBO will work exclusively with Spotify on a series of new podcast shows, which will be genre-based, interconnected stories across a slate of multiple podcasts, much like the shared universe stories that the Russo Brothers have come to be known for in their Marvel films. No specific titles or details were provided about the podcasts, but the shows will be scripted content and focus on universe building.
Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay (When They See Us,Selma)signed a podcast dealwith Spotify earlier this year, and now we know what her first show with them will be. It’s a new podcast calledLEAP Files, based on her Law Enforcement Accountability Project. The podcast is described as “an investigative series that chronicles officers who commit murder, revealing the alarming truth about the blue wall of silence that protects police after they pull the trigger. The series explores a new case each week, zeroing in on the lack of repercussions and accountability despite fatal wrongdoing.” DuVernay will oversee the show behind the scenes, but it’s unclear if she’ll also regularly appear on it herself.
In the wake of DC’s deal with Spotifylast summer, the audio platform officially announced that their first collaboration will be a podcast calledBatman UnburiedfromDavid S. Goyer(Batman Begins), which will reportedly explore “the darker side of Batman’s psychology.” (What a novel idea!) DC chief creative officerJim Leerevealed that podcasts are in the works focusing on characters like Catwoman and Katana, Superman and Lois Lane, Wonder Woman, Riddler, and Batgirl – and that sounds like just the tip of the iceberg for what fans might hear over the next few years. (WB is also working on acomedic Batman podcastfor HBO Max, starring Jeffrey Wright.)
Obama/Springsteen
And finally, Barack Obama and music legend Bruce Springsteen will partner up for a podcast calledRenegades: Born in the U.S.A., which is described as “an eight-episode podcast [which] will see the pair in deep and revealing conversation with each other, exploring a wide array of topics including race, fatherhood, marriage, and the state of America. It is a personal, in-depth discussion between two friends exploring their pasts, their beliefs, and the country that they love—as it was, as it is, and as it ought to be going forward.”
