Though the level of success Guardians of the Galaxy experienced when it debuted in 2014 was a surprise, there's no question writer/director James Gunn has since gone on to help shape and define the Marvel Cinematic Universe in its current form. But while Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige previously indicated the director might have a bigger role in the MCU following Avengers 4, Gunn has found himself fired following the resurfacing of offensive jokes and comments he made in the past on pedophilia and rape.

It's too soon to tell exactly how Gunn's firing will affect the MCU, but there are a lot of possibilities to think about when considering how the move might alter the blockbuster film universe's future.

RELATED: Guardians of the Galaxy Star Dave Bautista Defends James Gunn, Denounces Disney Firing

What Will Happen to the Guardians of the Galaxy?

In 2017, Gunn noted the three Guardians of the Galaxy films were designed to "tell one story" and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 would also help start a "new story" following Avengers 4. The third film, for which Gunn recently completed the first draft, was meant to be a major part of the MCU's next phase, which seems to be venturing more into the cosmic realm Gunn helped pioneer.

It's currently unknown whether Marvel Studios will keep any of Gunn's draft for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 intact. Even if the studio does use it as a starting point, revisions are common in the scriptwriting process. Depending on what happens going forward, those changes may significantly veer away from Gunn's ideas, thus altering his original vision for the trilogy and its characters, though Marvel will do its best to ensure the film doesn't damage any future plans for the MCU as a whole. Still, Marvel was setting Gunn up as the MCU's next big visionary, so his firing will certainly result in a markedly different Phase 4 than we would have otherwise seen.

RELATED: James Gunn Apologizes For Old, Offensive Jokes About Rape & Pedophilia

The success, or lack thereof, of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 could also affect the future of the film's characters. An all-new, all-different director may be off-putting for fans of Gunn's particular style and vision; some may even avoid the film due to Gunn's departure. There's a legitimate chance the next film in the trilogy might not live up to the expectations set by its well-liked predecessors, which could affect the film's critical reviews. As Marvel has had a run of incredibly successful superhero films lately, the studio is more likely to focus on new films and characters than a floundering series. A poor performance could conceivably lead to the individual Guardians having a decreased role in the MCU's future, especially considering plans for the next film reportedly included the end of this current iteration of the team.

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Could Gunn Move to Marvel's Distinguished Competition?

There's also the matter of what James Gunn will do next. There's no doubt he's a talented writer and director, so there's a chance he may end up making superhero films for one of Marvel's competitors, provided those studios are willing to overlook or forgive his comments. Sony has already canceled an upcoming Hall H appearance at Comic-Con International in San Diego featuring an unannounced project from the director, so the resurfaced tweets are already be affecting his career adversely beyond his Disney/Marvel firing.

RELATED: James Gunn Takes ‘Full Responsibility,’ Accepts Disney’s Guardians Decision

If Gunn does end up getting work with one of the big studios again, he might end up at Warner Bros., as the studio is currently trying to restructure and correct its film-making process.

Gunn wouldn't be the first Marvel director to jump over to DC, as Joss Whedon made a similar move following the release of The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Earlier this year, Gunn even revealed Warner Bros. previously offered to let him direct a film in the DC Extended Universe, a possibility Gunn didn't rule out at the time. Someone like Gunn could really help get the DCEU back on track and competing with the MCU -- again, assuming Warner Bros. is willing to ride out whatever ill will might come its way for hiring Gunn.

RELATED: James Gunn Was ‘Given the Opportunity’ to Direct a DC Film

As of right now, it's too early to know for sure what Gunn's firing might mean for the MCU, and it's unlikely fans will ever know exactly how Gunn might have influenced the massively successful cinematic universe's future. The MCU has survived high-profile departures before, but Gunn's departure is certainly going to change what that cinematic universe's future looks like.


Gunn had recently completed a draft of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which had been expected to begin filming in January in Atlanta, in time for a 2020 release.

However, the studio has yet to announce a specific release date.