After Variety reported there was a “growing feeling” that terminated filmmaker James Gunn might be reinstated, and Skyler Shuler, Editor in Chief of TheDisInsider.com, echoed a similar sentiment, word broke earlier today that The Walt Disney Company and the man behind the Guardians of the Galaxy movies are no longer on the path to reconciliation.
That’s right, despite an outcry of support from Dave Bautista and the rest of his lovable ragtag crew, not to mention a petition, which recently surpassed 300k signatures and is well on its way to 500k, the House of Mouse is unlikely to bring back the shepherd of the irreverent superhero franchise, and we should all probably start searching for his replacement.
Slated to begin principal photography early next year in Atlanta, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is currently without a director and, to further complicate the matter, Gunn’s believed to have completed the script before he was let go. So, should the project push forward with the scheduled start date, will Marvel be working with his treatment, or be forced to find someone else to pen the twenty-fourth MCU installment?
Regardless of what they decide to do, the pic can’t very well move forward without a director and as in any circumstance similar to this, some high profile talent is rumored to be under consideration.
According to hearsay, Jon Favreau (Iron Man), Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) and Joe and Anthony Russo (Avengers: Infinity War) have all been rumored to be taking over Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. And while I’m sure the MCU fanbase would take no issue with any of those choices, the fact remains that all are incredibly busy.
Jon Favreau and Taikia Waititi are both presently behind the camera on The Lion King and Jojo Rabbit, respectively. And as for Joe and Anthony Russo, they’re busy preparing for pick-ups on Avengers 4. Granted, either would make for a marvelous choice, but I fear it just isn’t in the cards.
At the moment, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is slotted into the 2020 window, and should Marvel hold pattern, expect to hear about a lot of change regarding the threequel.