Marvel Studios has reached out to James Gunn to direct the August 1, 2014 Disney release "Guardians Of The Galaxy", based on the Marvel Comics superhero series.
According to Marvel, Gunn ("Slither", "Super") is top choice out of a short list of directors because of "...his ability to mix comedy elements with action and horror, a quality he shares with 'Avengers' director Joss Whedon."
The adapted screenplay by Nicole Perlman, with rewrites by Chris McCoy follows a "...a US pilot who ends up in space during a universal conflict, then forced on the run with a band of futuristic alien ex-cons..."
Characters confirmed include 'Drax The Destroyer', a human resurrected as a warrior with the sole purpose of killing 'Thanos', (mastermind villain in "The Avengers" feature film), 'Groot', a giant tree-man, 'Star-Lord', a half-human/half-alien inter-galactic vigilante, 'Rocket Raccoon', a genetically engineered fighting animal and 'Gamora', the sole survivor of her alien species, originally saved by Thanos to be his slave, but now in battle against him.
"Guardians Of The Galaxy" debuted in "Marvel Super-Heroes" #18 (Jan. 1969).
Set in the 31st century, the original 'Guardians' are 'Major Vance Astro', an astronaut from 20th century Earth placed in suspended animation, 'Martinex T'Naga', a 'crystalline' creature from Pluto, 'Captain Charlie-27', a soldier from Jupiter and 'Yondu Udonta', a blue-skinned savage from 'Beta Centauri IV'.
Each Guardian is the last of their kind, forced to unite as a team against the 'Badoon' aliens who attack Earth's solar system.
The Guardians defeat the Badoon, then face 'Korvac', a creation of the Badoon.
"After teaming with 'Thor' to defeat Korvac in the 31st century, the Guardians chase Korvac to 20th century Earth, where together with 'The Avengers' they fight a decisive final battle.
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