James Gunn to direct Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy?
James Gunn, the director of Slither and Super, might just be the surprise choice to helm Guardians Of The Galaxy...
Of all the projects currently on the Marvel slate, few look as risky on paper as Guardians Of The Galaxy. Ant-Man, too, has it challenges, but the studio - to its credit - is keen to press ahead with some non-sequels for its slate. Guardians Of The Galaxy is thus set for the summer of 2014.
The film is still without a director, but Marvel may just have found its man. It's, according to Heat Vision, in talks with James Gunn. Gunn has won over many fans with his features Slither and Super, as well as working on the script for the Scooby-Doo films and Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead. Yet this would be a significantly larger project than he has worked on previously. That said, Marvel has hardly been shy about granting such chances to directors used to smaller fair previously, so perhaps this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise.
Joss Whedon's deal with Marvel, that will see him work with the studio through to 2015 and Avengers 2, also involes him overseeing numerous other projects, so it's thought that he has some input into Gunn being so highly sought by the studio. Gunn's sensibilities are similar to Whedon's in many ways, as both balance action, comedy and drama well with firm geek sensibilities. Both also have a very welcome fondness for Nathan Fillion.
Others bubbling on the directorial shortlist? Peyton Reed (Bring It On, Yes Man), and director pair Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden (Half Nelson).
Much has been written about the oddness of the characters in Guardians Of The Galaxy and how such characters may pose a challenge selling them to mainstream cinema audiences. But if done right with a decent dose of insanity it could prove to be something really impressive. James Gunn strikes us an interesting and perhaps wise choise.
More on Guardians Of The Galaxy when we get it.
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The guy who did PG Porn really?
It would certainly be interesting choice.
I like that Marvel are still taking chances with their directors, mainly based on the fact that they know these guys have their own voice or visual flair rather than a track record. It's similar in ethos to hiring a writer or artist for a comic book.
Interesting choice. I'm not massively looking forward to 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' as I would prefer a Shield film or a Hulk solo film directed by Joss Whedon. However, Marvel have not only done a good job producing films but they have been consistent so if they think Guardians of the Galaxy can be a hit then I have faith that it will.
Marvel have made some great choices in the past, but the cynic in me can't help but assume such directors come much cheaper than those who've had blockbuster experience...
I think that's also a factor, no doubt.
But it doesn't feel like they're just getting in hacks who'll do it for any old paycheck. I think there is some vetting process behind the scenes to ensure that the chosen directors 'get' the project they'll be working on and bring their unique style to it. i.e. Branagh on Thor, Johnston on Cap, Whedon on Avengers, Wright on Ant Man.
Whether the talent pool will sustain that before they have to start paying proper money for the right directors now that expectation has been raised with Avengers I guess we'll have to wait and see. At some point they're bound to make a mis-step but Pixar have had a good run at finding 'unknowns' who fit with the ethos of the company so maybe not.
as they chose Thanos as the next big bad then Guardians is the most natural fit as a way to establish him, as Thor did for Loki, whilst expanding the movie universe.
Once they've set the landscape of the cosmic universe then it opens the door for films like Planet Hulk or the Infinity Gauntlet or Nova without having to do too much exposition in these later movies.
Personally, I'd love to see a Power Pack movie :)