Writer and director of the superb Slither and the equally great Super, James Gunn, is in advanced talks to join the Marvel universe and helm their mammoth budgeted comic budget adaptation, Guardians of the Galaxy.
All of the trades and fansites are abuzz that Gunn will direct a huge budgeted studio feature - for the first time - for Marvel. According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'Guardians' centres on "Drax the Destroyer, a human resurrected as a green warrior with the sole purpose of killing Thanos (the villain in the Avengers final-scene tease); 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." I have to admit, I'd never heard of these Marvel heroes, but the studio obviously believes in them enough to create another possible franchise that exists in the same universe as their cash cow The Avengers; so much so that they're on the cusp of hiring a superb young writer/director with a very distinctive voice - ala Joss Whedon.
I am a huge fan of James Gunn, both as a filmmaker and a personality. He is a fantastic writer with a very unique and funny sense of humour. He's also capable of blending comedy with action - something Marvel obviously need in a helmer. Really hope this happens.
