James Gunn Almost Directed several major superhero projects, a scenario that shaped both Marvel and DC‘s timelines. This article traces, with published statements, how near-misses and offers redirected his career.
Gunn’s early Marvel talks about a misfit team
Before the first Guardians film, Gunn discussed a project about misfits with Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios‘ chief. Feige reportedly promised him the freedom to pursue whatever he wanted if Guardians did well, a pledge that fueled his ambition and fed discussions reported by ScreenRant about a misfit-ensemble movie.
Thunderbolts timing and Gunn’s move to DC
Marvel’s delayed plan to launch the Thunderbolts left a window that never fully closed, and by the time Marvel found space for that group, Gunn had already shifted focus toward DC projects. The shifting timeline meant that neither party appears to regret the near-miss, and Gunn’s later comments suggested the Thunderbolts concept remained just out of reach for him.
During an Instagram Q&A, Gunn was asked if he would still be interested in a Thunderbolts title and replied that The Suicide Squad scratched that itch for him. This hints at how the responsibilities of two studios and two separate universes influenced his choices.
Drax and Mantis take a separate path; later appearances
In 2021, Dave Bautista told Digital Spy that James Gunn was keen on doing a “Drax and Mantis film after Guardians 3.” However, no follow-up was ever heard from Marvel Studios, implying the idea had been scrapped. The characters would later appear in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.
— Dave Bautista, Actor
Batman talk during Guardians 3 and a different timeline
In a Rolling Stone interview, Gunn disclosed that Warner Bros had offered him the chance to make a Batman movie while he was in the middle of Guardians 3. He added that the only problem was timing, and he would have said yes if they had approached him in 2018 with Batman.
Speaking to Rolling Stone in June, James Gunn disclosed that Warner Bros had offered him the chance to make a Batman movie while he was in the middle of Guardians 3. He clarified that the only problem was the timing and that if they had “come to me in 2018 with Batman,” I would’ve said yes.
— James Gunn, Filmmaker
Why these near-misses matter for fans and the industry
The episodes illustrate how timing, studio strategy, and leadership views shape a director’s path through major franchises. For Gunn, Feige, and their respective teams, the paths not taken helped shape subsequent projects, while fans watch for how such near-misses might inform future crossovers or creative freedoms. Industry observers note that these moments reveal how much calendar space and executive trust influence who gets to steer iconic heroes next.
