It was almost a foregone conclusion that the swift removal of James Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 would have far-reaching implications for the MCU at large.
And sure enough, now that Marvel’s cosmic threequel is temporarily on hold, Dave Bautista has raised concern that Vol. 3‘s production woes may well have a negative impact on the story of Avengers 4 and, more specifically, the fate of each Guardian.
That means Star-Lord et. al may not receive as much screentime during next year’s Marvel mash-up as previously thought, as there are still many questions to be answered (and a director’s chair that needs filling) before Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is back on track – with or without Awesome Mix Vol. 3 in the cassette player.
Here’s how Dave Bautista describes the current situation:
It’s kind of a strange situation to be in now where we’ve lost our director for Guardians. Guardians 3 is really up in the air and I don’t know what they’re going to do with it. It’s on permanent hold for now, and that may make a difference in what they do with our characters in Avengers 4. To be honest with you, right now I really don’t know.
Bautista has been incredibly outspoken about the James Gunn ordeal ever since Disney decided to part ways with the filmmaker due to a series of gross, disturbing tweets from 10 years ago.
And while Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is expected to retain elements of Gunn’s screenplay, after all, it’s unlikely that Dave Bautista is privy to Marvel’s top-secret plans for Avengers 4 and its story. He still has another two days of reshoots to complete, but Bautista went on to admit that the fate of Marvel’s Guardians currently rests in the hands of the Russo Brothers.
But I know I’m in Avengers 4. I’ve shot most of it already. I do have two days of reshoots. But other than that, I have some really great scenes that I hope they use. But I guess that it remains to be seen what they’ll do with the characters.
It’s by no means confirmed, but Bautista’s troubling comments certainly present for thought. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine, so it was nigh on certain that the core plot of Avengers 4 would help tee up the likes of Spider-Man: Far From Home and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. But it seems the latter’s delay may have more repercussions than we initially thought…
