McKay, who won the adapted screenplay Oscar for “The Big Short” and famously came in to help rewrite and save the script for the MCU’s first “Ant-Man” movie, said: “We’ve talked a little bit. Yeah. We were kicking around the idea of the “Inhumans” [movie] at one point. We’re always kind of talking.”
“Inhumans” (sadly) was turned into a failed TV series for ABC in 2017.
As of now, “Guardians Vol. 3” is still without a director following James Gunn’s dismissal from the project earlier this year.
After his high-profile firing from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise this summer, James Gunn is officially switching comic powerhouse teams: Multiple outlets are reporting that Gunn is in talks to write, and possibly direct, the upcoming “Suicide Squad” sequel.”
TheWrap was the first to claim the exclusive on the news (followed closely by Deadline), reporting that the filmmaker is currently negotiating to come on board the DC sequel, writing the script and potentially directing as well. According to TheWrap, Gunn’s vision will be “a completely new take on the property.”
That’s in keeping with the director’s style, which changed the course of the Marvel Cinematic Universe when he debuted the first “Guardians of the Galaxy” flick back in 2014. The film’s irreverent tone was a breath of fresh air, and helped shape the landscape of the current MCU.
But Gunn’s connection to Marvel was officially severed back in July, when he was abruptly fired from “Guardians 3” by parent company Disney over a series of old, offensive tweets, which were dug up by conservative trolls who had an ax to grind with the director. Disney wanted to distance itself from Gunn’s tasteless remarks (for which he profusely apologized, insisting he had grown and changed as a person), and despite the cast’s unwavering support, the studio refused to reconsider its decision. (Disney did, however, agree to keep Gunn’s “Guardians 3” screenplay, no doubt to Dave Bautista’s relief.)
The director was immediately a hot commodity in Hollywood, and was heavily rumored to be courted by Warner Bros. and DC for a rival superhero project. While “Suicide Squad 2” may not be considered a prime choice for Gunn’s big return (the first flick was widely-panned — save for Margot Robbie‘s electric performance as Harley Quinn — and didn’t connect at the box office), it may also make the most sense for his filmmaking sensibilities. After all, if anyone can make an entertaining movie about a rag-tag bunch, it’s him.
No word yet on when production may get off the ground. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.
Following news this week that several rival studios are eager to snatch up the recently fired “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn — including archnemesis Warner Bros./DC — Marvel is reportedly working overtime to persuade Disney to change its mind.
That’s the word from Deadline, which shared a story on Thursday citing industry chatter that suggests that Marvel isn’t going to let Disney dispatch Gunn without a fight. The mastermind of the “Guardians” films was dismissed by the Mouse House last month after alt-right activists dug up a series of old, offensive tweets in which Gunn made jokes about disturbing subjects like rape and pedophilia.
The commonality throughout the entire saga has not been to defend Gunn’s tweets — which the writer-director himself has owned up to and apologized for — but rather, encourage Disney not to be swayed by an online smear campaign. The entire “Guardians” cast has already declared their loyalty to Gunn, and star Dave Bautista has even threatened to walk away from the series if Gunn’s already-finished script for “Guardians 3” isn’t kept. (Though The Hollywood Reporter said earlier this week that Disney is almost certainly going to use that screenplay.)
It was the cast’s passionate display of support that apparently inspired Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige to “make one last try at rapprochement,” Deadline reports, leading to “back channel conversations ” in which Marvel is “trying to persuade Disney to explore a compromise that might bring Gunn back into the fold for ‘Guardians 3.’”
Though Deadline admits that the tactic is “a long shot,” the trade also reports that both Marvel and Disney are eager to get the next “Guardians” film off the ground as quickly as possible, perhaps paving the way for reconciliation.
Deadline writes:
“It seems clear what is best for a film franchise that will become damaged goods for the next director. Some have posited that the precocious ‘Thor: Ragnarok”s Taika Waititi as a perfect fit, but what principled filmmaker will feel good about taking over in such circumstances?
Can even as mighty and as family friendly a corporation as Disney consider being changeable here?”
That’s the million-dollar question (or $7-10 million, as the case may be). While the previous answer was almost assuredly no, we’ll now have to wait and see if that remains true.
Fans and friends have rallied around “Guardians of the Galaxy” writer-director James Gunn after his abrupt firing from the franchise last week. But Disney is unlikely to forgive and forget — or give him his job back.
That’s the word from Variety, which reports that the studio has been unswayed by the mounting support Gunn has received since his dismissal late last month. The director was relieved of his duties after a series of old, offensive tweets resurfaced.
Some thought that the open letter signed by the entire principal “Galaxy” ensemble — which said that cast members “fully support” Gunn, and agree that he should be reinstated — might help sway the Mouse House’s opinion. But no dice, apparently.
“The feeling within both Disney and Marvel is that the dozens of so-called jokes that Gunn made about pedophilia and rape are unacceptable in the #MeToo era and are not in line with Disney’s family-friendly image,” Variety reports.
The trade also noted that while the cast vehemently disagreed with Disney’s decision, and urged the studio to give Gunn a shot at redemption, none of them threatened to quit the series, either. (Likely because they’re still under contract.) Now, Variety reports, Disney is hoping to find an A-list director to take Gunn’s place, though the studio isn’t in any hurry — and may even push back the “Guardians 3” February 2019 start date. (Leaving room for “Doctor Strange 2,” perhaps?)
Whoever winds up replacing Gunn will certainly have his or her work cut out for them, since the writer-director’s signature irreverent style was stamped all over that series. While Variety reports that fellow MCU helmers Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok”) and Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”) have been popular suggestions to take the reins, they’re pretty busy with their own projects.
“That means that there is a higher likelihood that Disney will reach outside the Marvel family to find a director with the kind of offbeat sensibility to handle the comic-book franchise,” the trade notes.
The Guardians of the Galaxy are banding together once more, this time to declare that they “fully support” their fired writer-director, James Gunn — and want him reinstated.
In an open letter shared on social media, the entire principal cast of the series — including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Pom Klementieff, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, and Sean Gunn — shared their shock and dismay over Gunn’s abrupt dismissal from “Guardians Vol. 3.” Disney fired Gunn earlier this month after many old, offensive tweets were dug up by the director’s political opponents, prompting the studio to distance itself from what it called his “offensive attitudes and statements … [which] are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values.”
If you please, read the statement written and signed by The Guardians of the Galaxy cast in support of James Gunn’s reinstatement as director of GOTG Volume 3. pic.twitter.com/TjNA9RF6M8
But according to the “Guardians” cast — who had only spoken briefly and individually on the subject before today — the Gunn that they know doesn’t resemble the man who made inappropriate jokes on social media years ago, nor the one that his detractors are surrounding with “outlandish conspiracy theories” now. Their statement said in part:
“The character he has shown in the wake of his firing is consistent with the man he was every day on set, and his apology, now and from years ago when first addressing these remarks, we believe is from the heart, a heart we all know, trust, and love. In casting each of us to help him tell the story of misfits who find redemption, he changed our lives forever. We believe the theme of redemption has never been more relevant than now.”
While the letter was quick to condemn the “court of public opinion” that encourages “character assassinations and … weaponiz[es] mob mentality,” it didn’t entirely let Gunn off the hook for his past remarks, either. The statement went on to say that this scandal should “serve as an example for all of us to realize the enormous responsibility we have to ourselves and to each other regarding the use of our written words when we etch them in digital stone.”
Well said, Guardians. Now we wait and see if Disney has a change of heart about its decision.
Read the entire statement below:
An Open Letter from the Cast of “Guardians of the Galaxy”
To our fans and friends,
We fully support James Gunn. We were all shocked by his abrupt firing and have intentionally waited these ten days to respond in order to think, pray, listen, and discuss. In that time, we’ve been encouraged by the outpouring of support from fans and members of the media who wish to see James reinstated as director of Volume 3 as well as discouraged by those so easily duped into believing the many outlandish conspiracy theories surrounding him.
Being in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies has been a great honor in each of our lives. We cannot let this moment pass without expressing our love, support, and gratitude for James. We are not here to defend his jokes of many years ago but rather to share our experience having spent many years together on set making Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and 2. The character he has shown in the wake of his firing is consistent with the man he was every day on set, and his apology, now and from years ago when first addressing these remarks, we believe is from the heart, a heart we all know, trust, and love. In casting each of us to help him tell the story of misfits who find redemption, he changed our lives forever. We believe the theme of redemption has never been more relevant than now.
Each of us looks forward to working with our friend James again in the future. His story isn’t over — not by a long shot.
There is little due process in the court of public opinion. James is likely not the last good person to be put on trial. Given the growing political divide in this country, it’s safe to say instances like this will continue, although we hope Americans from across the political spectrum can ease up on the character assassinations and stop weaponizing mob mentality.
It is our hope that what has transpired can serve as an example for all of us to realize the enormous responsibility we have to ourselves and to each other regarding the use of our written words when we etch them in digital stone; that we as a society may learn from this experience and in the future will think twice before we decide what we want to express; and in so learning perhaps can harness this capability to help and heal instead of hurting each other. Thank you for taking the time to read our words.
WARNING: This post contains SPOILERS for “Avengers: Infinity War.” Read on at your own risk.
While the rest of the MCU sorts through the wreckage — and pile of superhero bodies — left behind by “Avengers: Infinity War,” the Guardians of the Galaxy crew is gearing up for yet another sequel. Now, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has revealed when the latest volume in the series is set to begin production.
In an interview with Collider, Feige provided an update on the project, which is currently aiming to get in front of cameras sometime in the early months of 2019.
“[Writer/director] James [Gunn] has delivered a draft and we begin official pre-production on that very, very soon,” Feige told Collider of the threequel. “It’ll be shooting early next year. ‘Captain Marvel’ finishes in about two weeks, ‘Spider-Man’ starts in about two weeks, and then ‘Guardians 3’ will start early next year.”
As the site points out, it remains to be seen what effect the events of “Infinity War” will have on “Guardians Vol. 3,” since (SPOILER ALERT) Zoe Saldana’s Gamora was killed off in that flick. Will “Vol. 3” take place before “Infinity War,” or after? Will they find a way to include Saldana regardless of the timeline?
Fans will have to wait a while to find out. Right now, speculation suggests that “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” will be released on May 1, 2020, which is one of several calendar slots that’s currently reserved for an untitled Marvel project. Stay tuned to see if that’s the magic date.
The world is still reeling from the loss of singer, actor, and fashion icon David Bowie, and among the many famous mourners is James Gunn. According to the director, he wanted Bowie involved in the upcoming “Guardians of the Galaxy” sequel, and not just in a musical capacity.
Gunn posted a long message on Facebook ruminating on Bowie’s passing, and what the star meant to him. The director said that Bowie’s music helped him through a difficult period of kicking drug addiction, and inspired his use of music in his filmmaking by “imitating [Bowie’s] perfect blend of oddness and familiarity, of irony and aptness.”
Gunn planned on honoring his idol by including another Bowie song on the “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” soundtrack — the only artist to appear in both “Guardians” films — and in another, more visible way: With a cameo in the flick. The director explained that thought, which originated with Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige.
“Just a very short while ago Kevin Feige and I were talking about a cameo role in Guardians Vol. 2, and he brought up Bowie’s name,” Gunn wrote. “I told him nothing in the world would make me happier, but I heard from common friends he wasn’t doing well. We heard back that he was okay and it could potentially happen. Who knows what that was about? … [I]t made my Twitter revelation [of Bowie’s death] more of a surprise.”
For more of Gunn’s thoughts on the musician, including Bowie’s specific influence on the “Guardians” flicks, check out Gunn’s full Facebook post below.
I usually find out about people dying on Twitter these days, as it’s one of the first places I check on my phone when I…
TheWrap was the first to report that Russell has been pegged as Marvel’s top choice to play the father of Chris Pratt‘s Peter Quill. According to the site, Russell hasn’t been offered the part yet, and hasn’t even read a script yet, so this development is still in the infancy stage.
Other trades chimed in with similar reports, with The Hollywood Reporter backing up TheWrap’s statements. THR adds that “both Marvel and director James Gunn as well as Russell seem optimistic the outcome will be positive.”
Peter Quill’s search for his long-lost alien father will be a focal point of “Guardians 2,” so this is a meaty role should Russell accept it. But we’ll have to wait awhile before we know if this news is legit, since Marvel is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to casting, and Gunn has officially sworn off commenting on rumors surrounding the flick.
Still, it’s an exciting prospect. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” hits theaters on May 5, 2017.
Katniss Everdeen has outdone Peter Quill: “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” has officially surpassed “Guardians of the Galaxy” as 2014’s highest-grossing film.
The tallies are almost identical, but “Mockingjay” has come away with the slight upper hand, raking in $333.18 million at the domestic box office since its November 21 bow. That’s only incrementally better than “Guardians,” which has so far made $333.17 million in North America, but good enough for the win.
Deadline reports that this is nothing new for Katniss and co., who also bested Marvel in 2013, when “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” initially lost out to “Iron Man 3” in the box office war, before claiming victory in January. And it marks the second year in a row that a female-led flick has taken the box office crown, a big coup in diversity-challenged Hollywood.
There will be another showdown between the two companies next year, too, since Marvel has “Avengers: Age of Ultron” due out on May 1, and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” is coming on November 20. Whichever one reigns supreme, it looks like we’re in for another year of big blockbusters.
WARNING: This post contains SPOILERS for “Avengers: Infinity War.” Read on at your own risk.
The world is still reeling from the loss of singer, actor, and fashion icon David Bowie, and among the many famous mourners is James Gunn. According to the director, he wanted Bowie involved in the upcoming “Guardians of the Galaxy” sequel, and not just in a musical capacity.
A major star may soon join “