Yesterday we heard that sources were sharing that Disney was thinking about bringing back James Gunn to the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ franchise for the third film and today new sources seem to say that it is unlikely to see that happen. Much like we constantly hear Ben Affleck is and isn’t leaving the role of Batman, it seems that the rumor mill is creating a dumpster fire of misinformation as to what could or couldn’t be happening here.

While the cast is pushing for Disney to re-hire Gunn, it doesn’t look like the House of Mouse will be having that happen if these new reports are to be believed. From what Variety has been told from Disney and Marvel insiders, “the dozens of so-called jokes that Gunn made about pedophilia and rape are unacceptable in the #MeToo era and are not in line with Disney’s family-friendly image.”

With the firing having already been handled by Disney Studios chief Alan Horn and Bob Iger signing off on it, there doesn’t seem like the pair would change their decision. Another insider stated that “I don’t see Disney re-hiring him. Those tweets were so horrible, and Disney has a different standard than other studios.”

The studio hasn’t signaled as to which director could replace Gunn for ‘Guardians 3′ but some sources have said that Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok”), or the Russo brothers (“Avengers: Infinity War”) are likely candidates but currently have other projects on their plates. With Marvel Studios’ big guns already spoken for elsewhere, the studio would once again have to find a newcomer to tackle the GOTG franchise. If they do go that route, hopefully they check the next director’s full tweet history first.

Expect that until Gunn is reinstated or a new director for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ is announced, these rumors will continue to go back and forth and be just as unconfirmed as Ben Affleck ever wearing the Batsuit again for DC.

Do you agree that Disney probably won’t be bringing James Gunn back to direct ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’? Did the director redeem himself since getting older much as the Guardians have redeemed themselves in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Share your thoughts below, True Believers!