THR dropped an interesting tidbit in a recent report confirming our own speculation that Guardians of The Galaxy 3 would be unlikely making it’s targeted January-February production start due to the firing of James Gunn.
They now state production delays are now most certain as the production crew have been seemingly let go and allowed to seek other projects while they seek a new director and figure out a new production schedule.
Sources say that crew members, at this stage a small group that was prepping for pre-production, are being dismissed and are free to look for new work.
The Marvel project was to have been directed by James Gunn and was to have begun principal photography in the winter, either in January or February. The project was crewing up and was to have gone into full pre-production mode in the fall.
The interesting new tidbit comes with talk that Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi has taken a meeting with Marvel Studios for an undisclosed movie. Nothing says this could be Guardians 3, but that seems like a smoother transition that I feel like fans could get behind as long as Gunn and the cast give their blessings to the hiring.
Marvel and Disney are taking a measured approach in their search for a filmmaker (one source says that Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi recently had a meeting with Marvel but it is unclear what project was discussed) and with good reason.
There is also chatter that Marvel has been meeting with directors for The Eternals and that Jack Kirby cosmic project screams Taika to us. Allowing him to fully create his own corner of the MCU and not just a sequel, his own Marvel franchise.
Thor 4 could be another option.
If Guardians 3 ultimately does take a hiatus until the fall, we assume that Black Widow will likely become the next MCU project to go into pre-production and get bumped up to take Guardians’ slot. Then allowing Doctor Strange 2 to be that movie filming next June in the United Kingdom.
It’s unknown where The Eternals and Guardians 3 will fit into these plans but we’ll be keeping an eye out for sure.
SOURCE: THR