The big question surrounding Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is who’s going to direct it, after James Gunn – who’s written and helmed both previous installments – was fired by Disney after a controversy surrounding some resurfaced offensive tweets. No doubt Marvel’s keen to find a replacement, but that could be a difficult task as it seems that many of the filmmakers who would be perfect for the job think Gunn’s the only one fit to do it.
Recently, a fan posted on Twitter that their top three picks to helm Vol. 3 were Edgar Wright (Baby Driver), Chris Miller (The LEGO Movie) and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok). Wright and Miller then responded to the tweet, making clear that they’re both in favor of Gunn returning to finish the trilogy that he started and turned into a worldwide success.
Now, Waititi’s joined in to say much the same. In response to Miller’s quip that Gunn would be “a good fit tonally” for Guardians, the New Zealand actor/director joked “Agreed. @JamesGunn would bring a fresh energy and style that the first two films were lacking.”
Waititi himself has often been named as a top choice to take over from Gunn as his Thor threequel was another space opera/action-comedy movie. However, it sounds like he wouldn’t be interested in helming the project. As for Wright, who nearly directed Ant-Man, and Miller – who co-wrote Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – they both would’ve been strong replacements but again, it doesn’t sound like they’d accept the job if offered.
Not that Disney’s considering this, mind you, but it doesn’t seem like Gunn would be able to go back to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 even if he was invited. It’s just been announced that his Suicide Squad sequel/reboot, The Suicide Squad, is coming in August 2021, so he’ll likely be tied up with the Distinguished Competition for the next few years and wouldn’t have time for another big project like Vol. 3.