Nordling here.
If this is true, I'm all for it. According to Hollywood Reporter, Disney/Marvel is in talks with James Gunn to direct GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. The article states that Gunn is the studio's choice to direct - Gunn has the real talent to mix terrific action with a real sense of comedy, and he brings it together and makes it work. All that's left is for Gunn to sign on the line that is dotted.
Thank goodness for Joss Whedon's creative involvement, huh? I doubt this wouldn't have happened if Whedon didn't help steer these movies right now. James Gunn would be a fantastic choice, in my opinion. He's got a real playful sense of direction and he's not afraid to let his movies go to the most unlikely places, as his work with Troma, as well as SLITHER and SUPER, would suggest. A Troma director on a tentpole Marvel release? That sounds almost too good to be true.
Marvel continues to impress me with their choices for the talent with their projects. I adore SLITHER and SUPER, and TROMEO AND JULIET, which Gunn helped write, might be the best film in Troma's catalog. He also wrote the first SCOOBY DOO movie, but his script was truer to the original show than what wound up on screen. I still think the DAWN OF THE DEAD remake that he wrote is a fine entry into the zombie genre - it's different enough from Romero's original movie that it has a spirit all its own.
If this pans out, congratulations to James Gunn for landing this movie. If there's anyone who can make you believe a raccoon can kick ass, it's James Gunn.
