The news that Disney will not be reinstating James Gunn as director for the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has come as a disappointment to many. In fact, the list of names now includes two key figures from Marvel’s hit Netflix series Daredevil: Vincent D’Onofrio, who plays the villain Wilson Fisk, and former executive producer Steven DeKnight.
Gunn’s abrupt removal was announced last month in response to a series of offensive jokes that he made on Twitter before he was hired by Marvel Studios. Although there has been a push to rehire him from fans, as well as the cast of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and other big names in Hollywood, recent reports have stated that Disney will hold to their decision.
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D’Onofrio expressed his feelings by posting a link to an article about Gunn’s removal being permanent, and added the comment, “This is a big bummer.”
This is a big bummer. https://t.co/xqJkYYeQkg
— Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) August 18, 2018
DeKnight, who had previously said he was deeply saddened by the situation, was asked by a fan if he would consider taking over as the new director for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, to which he replied, “I would politely decline. No way in hell I could come close to what James Gunn has accomplished.” In another tweet, he noted that the situation was hypothetical, as “no one at Marvel or Disney WOULD ever ask me that.”
I would politely decline. No way in hell I could come close to what @JamesGunn has accomplished. https://t.co/2P8ROdljOB
— Steven DeKnight (@stevendeknight) August 19, 2018
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Although neither DeKnight nor D’Onofrio has worked with Gunn on a Marvel project, both have claimed to be fans of his work. Gunn has also expressed his enthusiasm for the first season of Daredevil.