Disney says James Gunn will absolutely not be directing Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

Sorry, folks, but Mickey’s put his big, yellow loafer down: James Gunn will not be directing Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3. Despite rumors of positive “back channel talks,” the overwhelming support of the Guardians cast, and what have no doubt been some intimidating glares from Dave Bautista, Disney has made it official that the wildly popular Marvel property will move forward with a different director at the helm. Variety reports the decision came after a meeting between Gunn and studio chairman Alan Horn, a meeting sources say was held only to “clear the air with Gunn.”

Gunn, if you’re blissfully unaware, was fired from the sequel after an army of MAGA chuds led by Mike “date rape does not exist” Cernovich dug up offensive, decade-old tweets for which Gunn had apologized long ago. Variety’s sources say that Gunn’s original script will be used for the third volume, but that “it is still very likely that whoever is brought in will still need to put a polish on it order to add their stamp to the project.” Bautista, it’s safe to say, will not like that.

The good news? Gunn is going to be just fine.