James Gunn Confirms 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Directorial Gig for Marvel

Marvel.com

James Gunn will officially lead the misfits of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

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The writer-director, who has already given a unique twist to the comic book genre with his 2010 film Super, confirmed in a message on his Facebook page that he would be re-write and direct the upcoming Marvel adaptation.

The Hollywood Reporter initially reported that he was in talks on August 18.

For a month or so there’s been a lot of Internet speculation about my involvement with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Until now I haven’t said anything, because I’m trying to be less expulsive about this project than I am about the rest of my life. But last night I got the go-ahead from Kevin Feige to let you all know that, yes, indeed, I am rewriting and directing Guardians of the Galaxy.

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As a lifelong lover of Marvel comics, space epics, AND raccoons, this is the movie I’ve been waiting to make since I was nine years old. Kevin, Joss, and all the folks at Marvel have been amazing collaborators so far, and we’re committed to bringing you something majestic, beautiful, and unique. I am incredibly excited. I am also incredibly grateful to the fans and the press for all their words of encouragement and support regarding my involvement with this project since the news first leaked. Thanks – you have, honestly, touched and overwhelmed me. And that’s it for now. Other than the occasional photos of my dog and cat here on Facebook, I’ll talk to you again in August 2014 when Guardians is released!

The series features an eclectic group of characters: 

Drax the Destroyer, a human resurrected as a green warrior with the sole purpose of killing Thanos; Groot, a giant tree-man; Star-Lord, a gun-toting half-human/half-alien intergalactic vigilante; Rocket Raccoon, a genetically engineered animal with a knack for guns and explosives; and Gamora, the last survivor of her species who was saved by Thanos to be his assassin but now battles him.

Thanos, of course, is the villain seen at the end of Avengers, and could represent the thread tying this far-out part of the Marvel Universe with the already established segment.