It's been nearly four full months since James Gunn was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and while there were various efforts to get him back onto the threequel, that ship has sailed. Gunn has now joined the Distinguished Competition to write (and possibly direct) Suicide Squad 2, and although production has been delayed, Marvel Studios is nonetheless searching for another director to helm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. If a new report is to be believed, this project's directorial future is female.
According to SuperBroMovies, among the directors currently on Marvel's shortlist for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 are Dee Rees, Michelle MacLaren, S.J. Clarkson and Jane Campion. Keep in mind that even if these women are truly in consideration for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, that doesn't mean any of them will necessarily get the job. There could be other names being kicked around, and we also can't discount that someone could snag the gig who's never even rumored. Nevertheless, let's go over each of these four women's resumes.
Dee Rees made her feature film making debut with 2008's Eventual Salvation, and nearly a decade later, she delivered the Academy Award-nominated Netflix movie Mudbound. Earlier this year, Rees praised Ryan Coogler's work on Black Panther, so maybe she'd be interested in contributing to the MCU.
Michelle MacLaren is best known for directing episodes of TV shows like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones and The Deuce, but she'll soon make the jump to the big screen with Cowboy Ninja Viking. MacLaren was also originally supposed to direct Wonder Woman, but due to creative differences, she stepped away and Patty Jenkins replaced her. Maybe Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 could be MacLaren's opportunity to return to the superhero genre.
Like Michelle MacLaren, S.J. Clarkson has an impressive TV resume, which includes Dexter, Jessica Jones and The Defenders, among many others. Back in April, Clarkson was hired to direct Star Trek 4, but since that movie is currently in limbo due to Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth stepping away, one wonders if she could be pulled from that to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Finally, Jane Campion is arguably best known for directing 1993's The Piano, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Director nomination. Campion is currently overseeing the TV series Top of the Lake, but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 could be a way for her to leave a mark in the world of blockbuster filmmaking.
Something tells me we'll hear about more directors being eyed for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in the near future, but these names are a promising start. Obviously it'll be difficult whoever is hired as the new director to fill James Gunn's shoes and bring the same kind of energy he infused into the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies, but at least they won't lack in the talent department.
Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for news about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's development, and be sure to learn what else the MCU has coming down the line in our Marvel movies guide.
