James Gunn would like to direct a Thunderbolts movie

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

As we all know, James Gunn is under contract for another Marvel film after GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Many assumed that meant he would be directing the eventual GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 with some even venturing to guess his close friendship with Joss Whedon may make him a candidate to take over THE AVENGERS 3 if Whedon steps away from the franchise. But, if Gunn has his way, there is an entirely different Marvel comic he has his eye on.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Gunn reiterated his desire to helm a movie based on Thunderbolts.

Thunderbolts? I will tell you, one time I was saying to Kevin [Feige], we were sitting on set together on one of the days he visited and I said, ‘You know, I really want to make Thunderbolts,’ and he said, ‘James, if Guardians does well you’ll be able to do whatever you want so we’ll see what happens.

Thunderbolts is a team of primarily reformed villains that was led by Baron Zemo but has also included Beetle, Fixer, Moonstone and Screaming Mimi. Hawkeye was on the team at one point and the current roster includes Elektra, Ghost Rider, Red Hulk, Red Leader. The team is another ragtag group that is not well known by mainstream audiences and would likely contain characters less popular that the current squad line-up. But, it would make sense for Gunn to helm a project like this owing to his different tone and style as evidenced in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.

Whatever the case may be, it will be interesting to see how big GUARDIANS opens as that will dictate a lot of the future for Marvel’s big screen projects. So, stay tuned for GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY to open on August 1st.