Just a month ago, if you would have looked at the upcoming Marvel Studios film slate, post-“Avengers 4,” there were a lot of questions. Can “Spider-Man: Far from Home” continue the successful Sony/Marvel Studios partnership or will Sony blow it? Will “Black Panther 2” come anywhere near the success of the first film? But you know what? No one really had questions about “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” James Gunn had done it twice before and the cast is solid. So what’s there to question?
Oh boy, what a difference a month makes.
Now, the entire future of the ‘Guardians’ franchise hangs in the balance, ever since Disney fired James Gunn. Will they rehire him and admit they reacted too quickly? Apparently, no. Will the cast come back or sit this film out? Answer pending. And finally, what the hell is Marvel Studios going to do with that Gunn script?
Well, according to rumors, the answer is to get rid of it and start fresh. According to Omega Underground, there’s a thought that Disney is reportedly going to toss out that Gunn script and begin development anew. If that is indeed the case, and we can’t stress that this is all just speculation and rumor, then Disney will definitely need to adjust their release schedule, as there’s no way ‘Vol. 3’ will hit theaters in 2020.
Adding to the confusion is the status of the cast of the film. While Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and most of the cast have been very tempered with their reactions, Dave Bautista has been vocal about his displeasure with Disney and his ultimatum that they must use the Gunn script or he walks. Of course, words are one thing and actions are a whole different issue.
In a new report by Screen Rant, they go into detail about what Bautista’s contract probably looks like and why it would be unlikely (but not impossible) that he could forgo the next film in the franchise. Long story short, it would be incredibly costly both financially and professionally if he chooses to stand behind Gunn.
Honestly, all this drama doesn’t matter anymore because we finally have a definitive word on how everyone should feel about this complicated situation. We know you’ve been waiting for the one cast member that truly matters to speak up. And now we have it! Thanks to the legend David Hasselhoff, who had a brief cameo in the last ‘Guardians’ film, there’s no more need for hot takes. “The Hoff” has finally given his opinion, which is sure to sway Disney.
In honor of James Gunn’s birthday (errrr, happy(?) birthday, James!), Hasselhoff posted a message to his friend, “You made a difference in my life and millions of others- I stand behind you your friend Zardu.”
Needless to say, there’s a lot going on in the world of “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Thankfully, just by the fact Disney won’t let this franchise go away anytime soon, we’ll have answers forthcoming about the status of the threequel. Will fans get their way and have James Gunn back? Or will Marvel Studios have their own #ReleaseTheSnyderCut controversy with #RehireJamesGunn?