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James Gunn May Return to Direct a Different MCU Movie Than Guardians 3
Marvel Studios reportedly hopes to bring James Gunn back to develop and/or direct a different Marvel Cinematic Universe film than Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. According to the same update, the studio is still planning to use Gunn's script for the third Guardians of the Galaxy movie, too.
Gunn was getting ready to start filming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 - the conclusion to his Guardians trilogy - in early 2019, up until he was fired by Disney last month, after old, intentionally offensive tweets from his Twitter account (posted prior to his time with Disney) were brought back into the spotlight by conservative outlets like the Daily Caller. The filmmaker has since received an outpouring of support from his fans and the cast of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies alike, calling on the Mouse House to rehire him. For now, though, Disney isn't expected to roll-back its decision on Gunn directing Guardians 3... which isn't to say he will never work at Marvel Studios again.
Multiple sources have informed THR that Marvel hopes to use the ongoing talks between Disney and Gunn (over his post-termination payout) to bring the filmmaker back to either direct or develop a different Phase 4 MCU movie. According to one of those sources, "An end-all verdict hasn’t been issued and conversations with Marvel are still ongoing", as far as Gunn's potential return is concerned. As mentioned earlier, the site is further reporting that Disney/Marvel still want to use Gunn's Guardians 3 screenplay, which is another key factor in the developing negotiations.
For the time being, Gunn's return to the MCU is far from a done deal. The filmmaker doesn't have any new projects lined up at the moment and is already being sought by other Hollywood studios, including Warner Bros. While these rival studios cannot make Gunn any formal offers until his discussions with Disney are over, it seems that there is a real possibly that WB will attempt to convince Gunn to develop or direct a DC movie next, rather than a non-Guardians of the Galaxy MCU film (as Marvel Studios wants him to do).
In the past, Gunn has expressed a desire to continue expanding the cosmic side of the MCU after making Guardians 3, and possibly even develop a Guardians spinoff centered on the Ravagers (aka. the original Guardians of the Galaxy) at some point. The filmmaker has similarly made it no secret that he's found his creative relationship with Marvel to be artistically (and - of course - financially) rewarding, over the years. All the same, it's quite possible he will decide to make a clean break with the Mouse House and Marvel Studios following his firing. However, nothing will be set in stone on that front until his negotiations with Disney are completely done.
We will bring you more James Gunn/Marvel-related news as it comes our way.
