Latest news with #Russo-Otstot
Metro
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Meet the 'hidden' Russo sibling leading her Marvel director brothers' studio
You don't have to be a major cinephile to recognise the names Joe and Anthony Russo thanks to their work on four of Marvel's biggest-ever films, including Avengers: Endgame – briefly the highest-grossing film of all time. Often referred to simply as 'the Russo brothers', their entire careers have been publicly intertwined, working together first in sitcoms like Arrested Development before indie films and then linking up with Disney to make their names internationally. But alongside that timeline, there's also been another Russo building a profile in the industry – a Russo sister, Angela Russo-Otstot. Russo-Otstot, 46, has had plenty of her own successes, selling a script to HBO in her early 20s – 'quite atypical and a very fortunate place to start' – before spending a decade as a TV writer-producer on shows like The Shield. But what many may not realise is how influential she's become in recent years. After all, this is the woman who is producing the eagerly anticipated Avengers films, Doomsday and Secret Wars, alongside her siblings, thanks to her role as Chief Creative Officer at AGBO, the studio Joe and Anthony founded in 2017. Or as Joe tells me later: 'I mean, she really runs the company.' Russo-Otstot has been more under the radar than her brothers, but this has shifted as she has taken charge at AGBO and stepped into a more visible job. 'As the person who heads up the company, I am able to see everything through, whether it's across film or series or gaming or animation,' she tells me when we meet at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews. 'Because of that, I am out there, in production and beyond – releasing as well – and able to participate more.' We're talking in Scotland in April because Russo-Otstot and her brother Joe are here supporting the Sands International Film Festival, which AGBO co-founded as a major sponsor with the University of St Andrews after Joe's daughter attended as a student. Russo-Otstot is comfortable herself in this setting after teaching screenwriting and playwriting at two Cleveland-based universities, the family's hometown, during a break from Hollywood to raise her kids. She describes it as 'life-changing'. 'In doing those courses, I really shifted my focus to championing other writers, and that prepared me very well for my time at ABGO, when I came back and started in the story department. Sometimes I wrote or developed on projects [including 2021 Tom Holland crime drama Cherry], but often I worked in partnership and mentorship of the writers that we had.' Russo-Otstot focuses a lot on AGBO's mentoring and passion for indie filmmaking during our conversation, which might seem surprising when the studio's producing one of the biggest movies currently shooting (when we meet, her brothers are already filming Avengers: Doomsday in London, which is why I presume only Joe is able to get away). But they walk the walk too. It was such a strange request because I was a writer and not a traditionally trained executive 'Anthony and Joe have always had a mentality of paying it forward because they were mentored by Steven Soderbergh when they were starting out.' Award-winning filmmaker Soderbergh also came to Sands in 2024, while later that day Russo-Otstot and her brother will participate in a talk alongside filmmaker Frank E. Flowers, whose upcoming swashbuckler The Bluff, starring Priyanka Chopra, they have developed (thanks to another blossoming partnership, this time with Amazon). She does admit she was baffled when her brothers initially asked her to work with them, however. 'I thought it was such a strange request because I was a writer and not a traditionally trained executive, but to them that was exactly the point,' she says. 'They wanted a collection of artists working with executives that would shepherd other artists and really protect them throughout the development process especially – but also make sure that the creative was the driver first and foremost.' AGBO is at the forefront of major cinematic and streaming releases thanks to the work the three Russos have done for Netflix too. The Gray Man, executive produced by Russo-Otstot and directed by her siblings, is one of the most watched films ever on Netflix with 139.3million views in its first 91 days, while she was also a producer on this year's The Electric State. When we're meeting, The Electric State has not long been rinsed by critics and its rumoured budget of $320m (£234.3m) widely reported on ('Not confirmed!' Russo-Otstot interjects). To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But she appears unfazed after telling me that 'success for a streamer means something very different than theatrical'; she's also a big fan of the power of day and date global releasing and how it allows everybody to engage 'in a singular conversation around it'. And as to the long-gestating Electric State specifically? 'Look, that film is going to be an evergreen title. It's a family film that will stay on platform, and so it will be returned to again and again over the years, which is wonderful and exciting.' She's also proud of the film's ambition in bringing together live action and animation 'in such a seamless manner'. 'We had to work with a whole host of artists, hundreds and hundreds of them – human artists – who painstakingly brought those robots to life in such a beautiful and exciting manner. What was achieved in terms of the level of execution with visual effects in that film is quite a feat.' It's also far from a cheap feat. 'I am very excited, though, to be back in the theatrical space with the Avengers, and there's certainly a power of global connectivity with those films as well – they've also achieved that to a degree that perhaps no one else has.' The Avengers films are the crown jewel in the Russo family's portfolio, and these two upcoming movies are the first Marvels that AGBO will also produce. It feels like 'something that's come full circle' for her brothers, shares Otstot-Russo, and in terms of her being along for the ride, she continues: 'It's kind of lovely that they're bringing what they've learned and developed and we've done together at AGBO over the last eight or nine years back to Marvel for this run.' For brother Joe, 53 (Anthony is the oldest by 17 months, and their other sister, Gabriella Russo Rosalina, opted to follow in their father's footsteps into law instead), Russo-Otstot is the best at 'everything'. 'You can collaborate with her on anything, and she's always going to make it better, figure out the right path through it, how to creatively execute it, who the best partner and creative talent is for it. She really is, in my mind, one of the best executives in the business,' he tells me ahead of their talk later. You could argue their collaboration was foreshadowed when Russo-Otstot and their mother cooked meals for the cast and crew on the set of the Joe and Anthony's first film, Pieces, in 1997 – but Russo says he never would even have dreamed at that moment where they'd all be in 2025. More Trending 'We were just two kids from Cleveland who made a movie for very little money, using our uncle's shop to film at and family and friends for the crew members. It's been a very strange trajectory for us.' He's also relishing bringing the two major creative endeavours of his and Anthony's career together, alongside their sister. 'I love it because our two families are AGBO and Marvel and to bring them together, to me, is really fulfilling. And we have a lot of creative assets at AGBO, Marvel has a lot of creative assets… so we put the chocolate and the peanut butter together and we get something really special.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Insomniac Games rumoured to be working on three games – but what are they? MORE: 'Expansively unsettling' and deeply personal horror film finally released in the UK MORE: Eagerly anticipated horror's producer explains why '0.0 percent watchable' film flopped
Forbes
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
How To Craft A Leadership Narrative That Drives Positive Influence
In a world of constant change, storytelling has become one of the most powerful tools in a leader's ... More arsenal. Attention spans are short. Workplace engagement is low. The demand for brand loyalty and organizational clarity makes storytelling an essential tool for modern leadership. Today's most effective leaders don't just direct—they inspire through narrative. By weaving vision and purpose into a compelling story, they align teams and drive engagement. Storytelling is no longer a soft skill; it's a strategic leadership imperative. While many leaders realize this, few understand the true mechanics of storytelling better than Angela Russo-Otstot, chief creative officer at AGBO—the entertainment company founded by the Russo Brothers. She oversees some of modern media's most ambitious and interconnected story universes, spanning films, television, animation and gaming. But her approach to storytelling extends far beyond entertainment. It's rooted in leadership. 'Storytelling isn't just a creative function; it's a leadership strategy,' says Russo-Otstot. 'At AGBO, everything starts with a story. That story has to be clear, emotionally resonant, and aligned across platforms. The same applies to leadership. If people don't understand the 'why' behind what they're doing, they won't stay connected to the work.' AGBO continues solidifying its reputation as a global storytelling icon with a slate of high-profile, genre-defining productions. Most recently, the studio launched the Amazon thriller series Citadel, and the highly anticipated Netflix sci-fi adventure The Electric State debuted last month. These projects build on the studio's bold, emotionally resonant storytelling track record, following recent hits like the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All At Once and Extraction 2, starring Chris Hemsworth. Russo-Otstot's role requires managing large, cross-functional teams while ensuring a consistent narrative across multiple formats. That challenge mirrors what many business leaders face: guiding diverse departments toward a common goal while keeping the mission intact. 'You have to build a culture where people see how their contributions support the larger story,' she explains. 'Whether you're creating a film or launching a product, the leader's job is to tell a clear and consistent narrative about where the team is headed.' That narrative can't be surface-level or performative. It must be rooted in authenticity. Russo-Otstot applies this same principle when cultivating creativity in her teams, emphasizing that innovation flourishes when people feel psychologically safe. As storytelling evolves across platforms, leadership narratives must adapt to changing environments. 'Know your core story, but be willing to adjust the plot as the world shifts,' she advises. Flexibility paired with purpose is what keeps a leadership narrative relevant and resonant. LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Angela Russo-Otstot pictured at Prime Video's star-studded showcase ... More event Prime Video Presents: Trailblazers at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on October 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Prime Video) Looking ahead, Russo-Otstot sees the intersection of technology and humanity as the next challenge and opportunity for leaders. 'AI, immersive media and multi-platform storytelling are changing how we experience content,' the creative leader adds. 'But the need for emotionally grounded, authentic stories remains constant. Leaders who can harness that will stand out.' Her advice to leaders is simple and profound: 'Know your story. Share it clearly. Evolve it with purpose. That's how you lead people through change and toward something bigger than themselves.' Whether leading a creative team, managing a startup or driving change in a legacy organization, storytelling amplifies your leadership. Here's how to start crafting your leadership narrative: Every compelling leadership narrative follows a recognizable structure: beginning, middle and end. Start with the origin of your journey while intertwining the challenges. This sets the stage for your audience. Share where you or your organization started, what inspired your mission or what need or opportunity sparked change. This provides essential context and helps others understand the 'why' behind your leadership. As your narrative progresses, focus heavily on the middle part, where growth and conflict unfold. This is where you outline the challenges you've faced, the lessons learned and the progress made. Don't shy away from vulnerability; this part of the story builds trust and relatability. It shows your team that you're evolving, just as they are, and that leadership is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Finally, end on a strong sentiment, not as a conclusion but as a vision. Describe the future you're building and why it matters. This part of your narrative should be forward-looking and inspiring. It's your opportunity to rally others around a shared purpose and show them the role they can play in shaping what comes next. When leaders embrace storytelling as a tool, they do more than lead. They inspire. 'The story you tell as a leader—how you talk about your values, your mission, your goals—that becomes your team's North Star,' concludes Russo-Otstot. 'But it only works if it's real. People can feel the difference.'
