James Gunn, the director known for his work on Guardians of the Galaxy and DC’s upcoming Superman film, recently shared how close he came to quitting directing before Marvel hired him. In an interview, Gunn discussed his uncertain career stage, the unexpected Marvel phone call, and how a talking raccoon character inspired his entire Guardians of the Galaxy journey.
Initial Doubts About Directing Guardians of the Galaxy
During a recent conversation captured in a GQ video titled
James Gunn Breaks Down His Most Iconic Films,
Gunn revealed that he was ready to step away from filmmaking following his 2010 movie Super. Reflecting on that period, he admitted,
I was really in a strange place in my career where I was a little dejected,
and added,
I had just done a video game called Lollipop Chainsaw, and I was working on a television show, I told my agent I was gonna quit making movies.
Shortly after that decision, Marvel approached Gunn with the Guardians of the Galaxy project. He recalled,
I walked in and they’re like, ‘We got this thing Guardians of the Galaxy.’ I was like, ‘Yes, I’ve heard of them,’ but I was more familiar with the original lineup.
Initially, he was skeptical, saying,
It sounded kind of like Bugs Bunny in the middle of The Avengers… I walked out not thinking I would ever get the gig.
A Talking Raccoon Changed the Course of the Trilogy
On the drive home from that meeting, Gunn’s perspective shifted. He realized the emotional depth possible in the character of Rocket Raccoon. Gunn explained,
It came to me that if [Rocket Raccoon] was real, that Raccoon would be the saddest creature in the entire universe… that to me was the beginning of Guardians.
Rocket Raccoon became the emotional centerpiece of the series, with Gunn stating he felt closer to this character than any other he had brought to the screen:
who I’ve felt closer to than any other character I’ve ever put on film.
Defining Key Elements Like the Infinity Stones
Marvel also asked Gunn to define the Infinity Stones for the Guardians trilogy. Gunn admitted,
I made up the Infinity Stones in two seconds,
noting that the original stone shown in the film was red before Marvel requested a change to purple in post-production to maintain continuity across the universe.
Rocket Raccoon’s Journey Forms the Heart of the Trilogy
Reflecting on the broader narrative of the trilogy, Gunn emphasized that Rocket’s transformation—from being isolated to showing compassion—served as the story’s foundation. He remarked,
That’s why he becomes the leader of the Guardians at the end of 3,
highlighting the character’s central role within the team and narrative arc.
James Gunn’s near departure from directing was ultimately halted by Marvel’s unexpected offer and the compelling figure of a talking raccoon. This turning point shaped the Guardians of the Galaxy series into a unique blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling, influencing not only Gunn’s career but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s evolution.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has shared that prayer is still significant to him. However, he also considers himself somewhat opposed to organized religion.
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. Once Gunn took the role of co-CEO at DC Studios, he focused only on their projects, leaving his work at Marvel Studios. It’s well-known that he developed strong relationships with the stars of the Guardians of the Galaxy series, where he was both writer and director.
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. He grew up in a Catholic family in Manchester, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.
He has five siblings: Sean, an actor; Matt, who acts and writes about politics; Brian, a screenwriter; Patrick; and Beth.
Gunn’s family has Irish roots, with his father being from an Irish immigrant background.
