Taika Waititi says he will not direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi has confirmed that he will not helm Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is still happening, despite the uncertainty regarding its exact release date. Recently, franchise star Chris Pratt even reiterated that the film will be made. However, the question of a new director still remains. Taika Waititi has been long viewed as a candidate, but it looks like he won’t be taking the job.

While speaking with journalists at the Television Critics Association press tour (via The Wrap), Waititi confirmed that he will not direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. This mostly stems from his belief that the franchise belongs to the original director, James Gunn:

"“Nope. Not doing that movie. I’m hanging out with [Marvel] still. Talking about new stuff, but I don’t know what that might be yet. I want to do another movie.”"

Waititi may not be directing the next installment in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, but that doesn’t mean he’s done with Marvel. He also confirmed that he’s still close to the studio, and they’ve been discussing potential projects for the future:

"“For me, that’s James’ film. Going into something like that, which has got his stamp all over it, it would feel like going into someone’s house and saying ‘Hey, I’m your new dad.”"

Following the firing of James Gunn, Waititi was the director many believed would come on to close out the Guardians trilogy. Both he and Gunn have somewhat similar comedic sensibilities, which made him a top choice. His prior work with Marvel Studios on the critically acclaimed Thor: Ragnarok was also helped his case.

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These new comments cast even more uncertainty on Marvel’s search for a new director. Aside from Waititi, Bumblebee director Travis Knight was also said to be in the running, but he has since denied those claims. And fans hoping that Gunn may return to the director’s chair are likely out of luck, as he’s reportedly in talks to write and direct the Suicide Squad sequel.

At this point, it’s almost impossible to predict who will end up sitting in the director’s chair. And with Gunn’s distinct vision franchise, it’s going to be hard to find someone to fill his shoes.