Marvel has reportedly zeroed in on director James Gunn to helm Guardians of the Galaxy, the last scheduled Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 2 film before The Avengers wraps up Phase 2 in May 2015.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel has Gunn at the top of their list and is talking “exclusively” with the director to take on the ambitious project. Other candidates including the team of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, as well as Reyton Reed, have taken a back seat and are on deck in case a deal cannot be reached with Gunn.
Marvel’s decision to go with Gunn is a curious one considering the writer and director’s resume. He has directed genre films Slither and Super, and his comedy Movie 43 will open theatrically next year. Most of Gunn’s experience is on the page with writing credits including Super, Scooby-Doo, Dawn of the Dead, The Specials and the video game Lollipop Chainsaw.
Guardians of the Galaxy would by far and away be the director’s biggest project to date. Like Iron Man director Jon Favreau before him, Gunn will be walking into a new world of big budget filmmaking if he closes the deal.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy will introduce all-new characters into Marvel’s cinematic universe. The story will take a departure from S.H.I.E.L.D., Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Hulk, and introduce Drax the Destroyer, Groot, Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, and Gamora.
A few days ago, a probably Guardians of the Galaxy log line began making the Internet rounds offering a likely first glimpse at the film’s plot. It reads, “a U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants.”
Guardians of the Galaxy will explode into theaters on August 1, 2014.
Source: THR
