Oh, Marvel, you're such a tease.
Ever since Joss Whedon was announced as the director of "The Avengers" a couple of years ago, fans have been wondering when Whedon's frequent collaborator Nathan Fillion would be cast in one of their films. After all, Fillion is an admitted geek and superhero fan and he has a huge cult following. It has to happen, right?
Well, today Marvel has another tease for fans, as according to The Hollywood Reporter, Fillion's "Slither" director James Gunn is the leading candidate to helm the upcoming sci-fi epic "Guardians of the Galaxy." And in a team that includes an intelligent tree and a talking raccoon, you'd think they'd have a spot for Captain Tightpants, right?
Of course, Marvel has other reasons for selecting Gunn other than his work with Fillion; besides the cult classic "Slither," Gunn is also responsible for the underrated 2010 superhero farce "Super," which starred Rainn Wilson as a real life costumed nut. So Gunn knows a thing or two about the hero business.
And his penchant for comedy should also serve Gunn well with "Guardians of the Galaxy," because although the plot is deadly serious — the Guardians are a ragtag band of intergalactic freedom fighters who fight a desperate battle against Thanos, the nihilistic demi-god Whedon teased in the post-credits scene in "The Avengers" — the script is reportedly being re-written to include humor befitting a gunslinging raccoon.
Plus, the latest reports indicate that "Guardians of the Galaxy" is going to focus on "a U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants." For Marvel fans, that suggests current Guardians of the Galaxy leader Star-Lord — and for film fans, that suggests the perfect role for Nathan Fillion, should Gunn decide to accept the job.
Here's hoping.
