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'Super' Director James Gunn Top Choice for 'Guardians of the Galaxy'

by Alex Billington
August 18, 2012
Source: Heat Vision

It looks like Marvel may have found their guy. Heat Vision reports that "Marvel executives now are talking exclusively with" director James Gunn, of the indie flicks Slither and Super and "PG Porn", to direct the recently announced Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Marvel Studios announced at Comic-Con that the late summer 2014 movie, leading up to Avengers 2 in May of 2015, will be a Guardians of the Galaxy movie, featuring the team that includes Drax the Destroyer, a green warrior, Groot, a giant tree-man, Star-Lord, a half-human/alien intergalactic vigilante, Gamora, Thanos' adopted daughter, and of course Rocket Raccoon.

Ever since this was announced, I've been thinking who would be the perfect person to take this on. It's not only going to be a challenge to direct an intergalactic movie about three alien creatures and two humanoids, plus you've got to work with Marvel their demands. THR's report says "after a lengthy search" their focus is on James Gunn, even though he's not completely signed on. However, Gunn has been teasing things, tweeting: "I haven't been on any of the fan sites this morning. Anything interesting happening?" That tweet has since been deleted. However, THR says that other directors still in contention: Peyton Reed (Bring It On, Yes Man) and duo Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden of Half Nelson, Sugar, It's Kind of a Funny Story.

Earlier in the week, a proposed plot logline for Guardians of the Galaxy hit the web: "About 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." The report on Gunn goes on to say that Marvel likes "Gunn's sensibility and his ability to mix comedy elements with action and horror, a quality he shares with The Avengers director Joss Whedon." Indeed, that's very true, and anyone who has seen his work knows that he has the perfect fit for this - though if only he could go R-rated. Guardians was last being rewritten by Chris McCoy.

At first glance, he seems like a great choice. Out of everyone I could think of that I'd like to see for this, Gunn was not one of them. But now that he's likely to direct, I'm starting to understand why Marvel likes him, and why he could do an awesome job with this. I was worried about it being too soft, turning out too much like Green Lantern or Fantastic Four. But if they really let Gunn do what he does best, I don't think we have to worry. We'll keep our eyes out for more from Marvel. Do you think Gunn is a good choice?

Filed under Development, Marvel, Movie News

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