The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in a fascinating place at the moment. Every single installment in Phase Three has been a critical and box office success, with Avengers: Endgame potentially ending the shared universe as we know it. But there has been one glaring controversy in the face of this success: the firing of Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn. Gunn was canned when controversial tweets from a decade resurfaced, with production for Guardians 3 on indefinite hold as a result.
Since Disney parted ways with James Gunn back in July, all eyes are on what/how the franchise will continue without his vision. Fans have been tossing around names for possible replacements, including Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waitti. But Ant-Man writer Edgar Wright and Spider-Verse writer Christopher Miller have only one name on their mind: James Gunn. And they made their intentions known on Twitter, check it out.
The thread began when one user asked the Twittersphere who should replace James Gunn as director of Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3. That prompted the two Marvel alums to put their two cents in, maintaining that Gunn should be welcomed back into the fold to complete the trilogy he began back with the first Guardians flick.
Christopher Miller and Edgar Wright aren't the only individuals urging Disney to bring back James Gunn to direct Guardians 3. This is a sentiment that has been expressed in the months after James Gunn was fired from the MCU. The Guardians cast has put their support behind Jame Gunn, despite their contracts keeping them committed to the threequel. Drax actor Dave Bautista has been the most vocal critic, claiming he wouldn't reprise his role if Gunn's original draft for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is thrown out.
Despite both fans and filmmaking figures like Christopher Miller and Edgar Wright supporting James Gunn, it doesn't looks like the House of Mouse is looking to do an about face. There have been a handful of celebrities fired for similar issues to Gunn's, including Kevin Hart and Roseanne Barr. There would no doubt be some backlash to bringing the director back for Guardians 3, and Disney may not want to stir up the drama again.
James Gunn was fired in July of 2018, right before he was set to make an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con. Tweets from a decade ago resurfaced, revealing past jokes Gunn had made about subjects like sexual assault and pedophilia. Disney promptly removed him from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 during the backlash, putting one of the MCU's biggest franchises in jeopardy in the process.
The timing of James Gunn's departure is particularly noteworthy, as Guardians 3 was set to be one of the first installments in Marvel's Phase Three, following Spider-Man: Far From Home. And since the studio has been keeping its cards close to the chest ahead of Avengers: Endgame's release, there's no telling what Marvel is planning for Guardians and beyond.
The Guardians of the Galaxy will return to the MCU with Avengers: Endgame on April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
