Highlights
- I Am Groot season 2 marks the first time James Gunn won't be involved with the Guardians franchise, as the new season is written and directed by Kirsten Lepore.
- Gunn's relationship with Marvel has been shaky, starting with his firing due to controversial tweets, but he quickly found success with DC and was brought back to complete Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
- Gunn's move to DC was the right decision, as he brings creativity and a focus on character development, something that Marvel doesn't always prioritize. His work on The Suicide Squad proved he is the right artist to elevate DC's brand.
I Am Groot season 2 will be the first time Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn will not be attached to the property.
Horror and Troma director Gunn gained household stardom after introducing the world to the Guardians of the Galaxy. The cosmic characters became a welcome addition to the franchise, and a television series soon followed. I Am Groot explored the exploits of the titular character during his time in his baby tree form.
Gunn has been the accepted caretaker of the Guardians characters for his entire tenure as the trilogy’s director. But according to Disney Plus, I Am Groot season 2 will be the first addition to the franchise that Gunn will not be attached to. Disney's press release reveals that Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige continues to be credited as an executive producer, but Gunn's name is nowhere in sight. The new season is instead written and directed by season 1 director Kirsten Lepore.
Guardians of the Galaxy's original director has had a shaky relationship with Marvel Studios since helming the first movie in 2014. After some controversial tweets of Gunn's from over a decade prior surfaced online, Disney fired him before he could complete the final entry of the Guardians trilogy. Gunn didn’t have to languish in uncertainty for too long. DC quickly snapped up the talented filmmaker to helm a soft reboot of the Suicide Squad. After reconsideration and backlash against the move, Disney realized they had acted hastily and brought Gunn back to the franchise. He completed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, in one of the most impressive entries Marvel Studios has put out in some time. But that would be the last project Gunn would do for Marvel Studios, and he rightfully moved on with his life.
DC had a disparity that Gunn was a prime candidate to set right. Marvel Studios' competitor has failed because of an arguable lack of vision. His work on The Suicide Squad proved he was the right artist to put the brand back on track, and he was later chosen to run DC's creative development team. No one likely questioned whether this was the right decision for the director. After Disney cast him aside, he chose a brand that valued his creativity. Gunn has also been on the side of making films based solely on character, which was not always appreciated at Marvel Studios. It is the rare Marvel Studios project that focuses on character progression instead of a conveyor belt of similar movies. Gunn is exactly what DC needs to elevate the company.
I Am Groot season 2 will premiere on Disney Plus on September 6, 2023.
Source: Disney Plus