Despite the open letter from the cast, reports that Marvel was trying to persuade Disney to let the director return, and comments of support from various stars including most vocally, Dave Bautista who said he’d ask to be released from his contract if James Gunn’s script wasn’t used, it looks like it’s the end of the road for those holding out hope for a last minute reprieve for Gunn.
According to Variety Gunn met with Disney chairman Alan Horn who is standing by Disney’s decision to remove the director from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gunn was fired after some old social media posts of his were unearthed, and resurfaced by some alt-right agitators. These dated back to 2010 and 2011 and Gunn published an apology online.
At the time of Gunn’s dismissal Horn issued a statement to THR 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.” And it looks like that still stands.
MCU boss Kevin Feige was reportedly out of town and not in that meeting but Variety’s sources have suggested that the search for a new director will begin as soon as he’s back. Apparently the plan is to stick with Gunn’s script, though it’s likely any new director would want to give it a spit and polish at the very least.
The movies were always planned as part of a three-film arc so that’s unlikely to change – what Gunn’s departure will mean for the Guardians in the MCU going forward is unclear.
Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 is currently slated for 2020.