By: Scott Johnson on August 18, 2012
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel Studios is eyeing James Gunn to direct the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy movie. The Guardians of the Galaxy movie was first announced at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con, but little information was provided beyond that the film would be released August 1, 2014.
Just a couple days ago, an online blurb for the Guardians of the Galaxy surfaced, which revealed the following plotline, “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.” However, there has been no official information on casting or a director for the film.
The Hollywood Reporter claims that Marvel executives are so set on James Gunn that they are exclusively talking to him at this point. Gunn certainly has the background that would fit the genre for Guardians of the Galaxy, as his previous films include Slither and Super. While Gunn is the favorite, Peyton Reed, Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden are reportedly also under consideration. However, they appear to be just back-up in case a deal can’t be made with Gunn.
Why James Gunn? Marvel reportedly likes the way he mixes in comedy elements with action and horror, which is a formula that worked pretty well for Joss Whedon in The Avengers. Of course, Marvel declined to comment on if the reports are true or not, but such is their policy.
