General Discussion

I have not been a big fan of the superficial, fluffy, morally-ambiguous Avengers movies. I am a huge comics fan, but it seems to me that Marvel Studios hasn't had nearly enough guts to take the series as dark as its origins. If this news turns out to be true, though, my opinion of them will go up far higher.

According to the Hollywood Reporter (see here), James Gunn is now the frontrunner for the job of directing Guardians of the Galaxy, an Avengers spin-off taking place in space. Gunn was the director of Slither and Super, the latter of which is my favorite super-hero parody film of all time. Gunn is known for a twisted by very funny sense of humor and skillfully merging action, comedy, and drama. His R-rated style is not what one would first expect for a Marvel Studios movie, but I think it is definitely what the franchise needs it.

The other names that are out there are Peyton Reed (Bring it On, Yes Man) and Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson, It's Kind of a Funny Story). I am not familiar with Reed's work, but I am a fan of Boden & Fleck's and would be excited to see their take on a comics story. According to this article, though, Gunn is the current favorite.

I don't think Gunn is the right choice. I'd rather see Drew Goddard or Matt Reeves do it.

@RockinKemosabe said:

I don't think Gunn is the right choice. I'd rather see Drew Goddard or Matt Reeves do it.

Matt Reeves would probably do an awesome job on a Marvel movie. Maybe they will get him for another one.

I like the off the wall choices, better than the Michael Bay or deluge of standard action film directors out there.

So which will be released first? This or Edgar Wright's alleged Ant Man movie?

@Ghost_of_GhostDad: Guardians of the Galaxy already has a release date, August 1st, 2014. Marvel is still mum on Ant Man right now.

@VioletEyedDragon said:

The other names that are out there are Peyton Reed (Bring it On, Yes Man)... I am not familiar with Reed's work...

Bring It On was the cheerleader flick with Kirsten Dunst. Yes Man was the crap one with Jim Carrey. He also did Down With Love (Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger) and The Break-Up (Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston). Definitely not my first choice...or any choice as a matter of fact.

As for the thread in general, James Gunn seems like an...odd...choice. I mean, he's got some good writing chops, but his directing is only...okay. I think I could agree with the Matt Reeves comments more than James Gunn, but at that point, you might as well go all out and get J.J. Abrams on the project.

Honestly, here's a couple of other ideas:

• Neill Blomkamp: He made District 9, and stuff has started surfacing for his flick Elysium. I'd be curious to see what he could do with Guardians, something a bit more high sci-fi for him.
• Michael Mann: The guy has never done sci-fi, but he does some incredible shootout scenes and his characters are generally the essence of cool. Star Lord, Drax, Gamora...those are some slick muthafuckers!
• Duncan Jones: He knows how to handle characters well, and he knows how to handle story well. Moreover, his dad knows a thing or two about some sci-fi.
• Joe Carnahan: Since he's most likely not doing Daredevil, GIVE HIM SOME SCI-FI!

@RockinKemosabe said:

@Ghost_of_GhostDad: Guardians of the Galaxy already has a release date, August 1st, 2014. Marvel is still mum on Ant Man right now.

Yes I can read that on the poster too. Like the fine print for every boxing/MMA/Wrestling event ever, the card is subject to change. I imagine movies announced nearly two years off that have not yet started filming have a good chance of not being released on time or at all. Marvel/Disney could get cold feet about a super hero group that includes a raccoon.

I love the idea of an ex-Troma guy directing what is technically a Disney film. So for that reason I want James Gunn. It also doesn't hurt that Slither and Super are awesome movies.

@jakob187: I honestly think Carnahan is a much better writer than director. But I think any of your choices could work. Those are all great filmmakers (though I haven't seen enough Douncan Jones to really say).

@Ghost_of_GhostDad said:

@RockinKemosabe said:

@Ghost_of_GhostDad: Guardians of the Galaxy already has a release date, August 1st, 2014. Marvel is still mum on Ant Man right now.

Yes I can read that on the poster too. Like the fine print for every boxing/MMA/Wrestling event ever, the card is subject to change. I imagine movies announced nearly two years off that have not yet started filming have a good chance of not being released on time or at all. Marvel/Disney could get cold feet about a super hero group that includes a raccoon.

I love the idea of an ex-Troma guy directing what is technically a Disney film. So for that reason I want James Gunn. It also doesn't hurt that Slither and Super are awesome movies.

for once we agree!!! :)