It has been long-speculated that James Gunn (Slither, Super) would not only rewrite Chris McCoy and Nicole Periman’s script for Guardians of the Galaxy, but he has now confirmed he will direct the film on his Facebook page.
Gunn writes:
For a month or so there’s been a lot of Internet speculation about my involvement with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Until now I haven’t said anything, because I’m trying to be less expulsive about this project than I am about the rest of my life. But last night I got the go-ahead from Kevin Feige to let you all know that, yes, indeed, I am rewriting and directing Guardians of the Galaxy. As a lifelong lover of Marvel comics, space epics, AND raccoons, this is the movie I’ve been waiting to make since I was nine years old. Kevin, Joss, and all the folks at Marvel have been amazing collaborators so far, and we’re committed to bringing you something majestic, beautiful, and unique. I am incredibly excited. I am also incredibly grateful to the fans and the press for all their words of encouragement and support regarding my involvement with this project since the news first leaked. Thanks — you have, honestly, touched and overwhelmed me. And that’s it for now. Other than the occasional photos of my dog and cat here on Facebook, I’ll talk to you again in August 2014 when Guardians is released!
Guardians of the Galaxy will reportedly be set in the future and feature the team — Star-Lord, Drax the Destroyer, Groot, Rocket Racoon and Gamorra — fighting an evil race called the Badoom, and in the process they would supposedly travel back in time and cross paths with some of the Avengers team. Speculation says that Thanos, the giant being seen in the post-credits sequence following The Avengers would be in the film and Guardians of the Galaxy would serve as a precursor to The Avengers 2.
Joss Whedon, who is returning to direct Avengers 2 and appears to be the new spearhead for everything Avengers at Marvel, recently spoke with MTV regarding Gunn rewriting the screenplay and said, “I myself was sort of like, ‘Well, I liked Rocket Raccoon as a kid, but I’m not sure how that plays [to a wider audience].’ And then they said, ‘Well, we’re thinking about using James Gunn.’ And I said, ‘Oh, then no, you’re fine.’ He is so off the wall, and so crazy, but so smart, such a craftsman and he builds from his heart. He loves the raccoon. Needs the raccoon.”
As for Gunn’s take on the story Whedon added, “He has a very twisted take on it, but it all comes from a real love for the material. It’s going to be hard for the humans to keep up. I know he’s going to come from left field and I’m going to go, ‘What?’ And then, ‘Of course, why didn’t I think of that?’ And then I’m going to beat him!”
Guardians of the Galaxy is set for an August 1, 2014 release.
