Marvel Fans Are Calling For 'Thor' Director To Take Over 'Guardians Of The Galaxy 3'

Marvel fans are still reeling from the news that long-term franchise favourite James Gunn will play no further part in the Guardians of the Galaxy series, thoughts have begun to turn towards his replacement.

For many, there seems to be a clear choice: New Zealander Taika Waititi, the director of Thor: Ragnarok.

Twitter was pretty unanimous on the call: "If Disney doesn't tap Taika Waititi to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 then they're doing this whole thing wrong," wrote one Twitter user.

Another added: "Let Taika Waititi direct Guardians of the Galaxy 3 you cowards the space visuals + effortless humour he came thru with in Thor: Ragnarok would add up to a better GOTG movie than James Gunn could ever DREAM of making."

A few heavyweights online weighed in too, with critic David C James penning an article in support of Waititi.

On a practical level, it works too, Waititi has a film in the works - Jojo Rabbit, which is described as being about 'a young boy in Hitler's army [who] finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish boy in their home' - but that should be wrapped by mid to late 2019, a little after the next GOTG film is due to start filming.

And given that the slated director of the third instalment has just been fired, it's likely that Disney will be willing to delay if it means getting their guy.

The fallout from the Gunn incident is still ongoing.

For those not up to speed, the director was found to have made several offensive statements on Twitter regarding rape, paedophilia and the Holocaust a decade ago.

PA

Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Disney said in a statement: "The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James's Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio's values, and we have severed our business relationship with him."

Gunn said of the tweets: "My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative.

"I have regretted them for many years since - not just because they were stupid, not at all funny, wildly insensitive, and certainly not provocative like I had hoped, but also because they don't reflect the person I am today or have been for some time."

Topics: TV and Film, Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Cinematic Universe, US Entertainment

Mike Wood

Mike Meehall Wood is a freelance journalist and translator. He writes for LADbible, VICE and countless sports publications, focusing on rugby league, football and boxing. He is a graduate of Leeds University and maintains a fizzy pop obsession. Contact Mike at [email protected]