James Gunn Breaks Silence About Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Reinstatement

The Guardians of the Galaxy will, indeed, live to fight again with director James Gunn at the helm. Well, at least some of them probably will. Who knows what's going to happen in Avengers: Endgame? However, the news that Disney has rehired James Gunn to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 after firing him last summer has been met with unabashed positivity by fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fellow Marvel movie directors, and Gunn himself.

In his first tweet since he was fired in July 2018, Gunn shared a message on the heels of his being hired once again by Marvel Studios. "I am tremendously grateful to every person out there who has supported me over the past few months," he wrote. "I am always learning and will continue to work at being the best human being I can be. I deeply appreciate Disney's decision and I am excited to continue making films that investigate the ties of love that bind us all. I have been and continue to be incredibly humbled by your love and support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Love to you all."

Gunn was first removed from the project after years-old tweets surfaced, in which he made jokes about rape and pedophilia. At the time, Gunn apologized and noted that he had apologized in the past. At the time, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn explained the director's dismissal, saying, "The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James' Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio's values, and we have severed our business relationship with him."

His return to the project--and the Marvel Cinematic Universe--was celebrated by Gunn's fellow MCU directors. Ant-Man and the Wasp director Peyton Reed tweeted, "Welcome back, James." Meanwhile, Doctor Strange helmer Scott Derrickson offered up a "GLORY HALLELUJA" to the news. Lastly, Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi joked, "What the hell?? I thought I was going to do it!!" Waititi has formerly been rumored as a replacement for film, though he previously confirmed that he had no intention of taking over out of respect to Gunn. He said at the time, "I just wouldn't know how to follow up those two films because those are his babies."

With Gunn back in the driver's seat, it's now believed Guardians Vol. 3 will go into production following the director's commitment to the Suicide Squad sequel he's signed on for. The Suicide Squad sequel, which is reportedly eyeing Idris Elba as a replacement for Will Smith in the role of Deadshot, is expected to begin filming later this year.

Story updated to include Taika Waititi's statement.