We all know that James Gunn only wrote the screenplay of Guardians of the Galaxy with Nicole Perlman. However, the Suicide Squad director has just revealed that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and Avengers: Age of Ultron's Joss Whedon also helped shape the story of his breakout hit when he was still working on the first draft.
Gunn recently shared a photo from the first GOTG film that showed the main characters in one of the emotional scenes. The filmmaker confirmed that Zoe Saldana was sick while they were shooting the sequence and Chris Pratt actually managed to make Dave Bautista get "teary-eyed" with his speech. Gunn then added that Feige and Whedon were disappointed with the first draft of the movie's script.
"In my 1st draft this scene was only a couple lines. When [Whedon] read that draft he said, "I just wish it was more James Gunn" & [Feige] agreed. So I said, 'Well, it's your funeral,' & went home & wrote this 6 page scene of characters arguing about nothing to kick off Act 3," Gunn wrote.
"While writing my 1st draft I had been a bit restrained; I wanted the film to be 'commercial' & was afraid of adding too much humor. I let myself go on the 2nd draft & let the characters really be who they were & I feel that's when the Guardians we now know started to emerge."
Gunn concluded with a grateful message to Feige and Whedon for their feedback.
"So, many thanks to @Kevfeige & @joss - who encouraged more freedom, artistry, self-expression, and risk in a moment when it would have been easy to do otherwise. It's one of the reasons why the story of a completely unknown group of space scoundrels spoke to so many people."
It's hard to imagine Gunn holding back when it comes to writing anything for Guardians of the Galaxy. Nevertheless, we're glad that the feedback from Feige and Whedon actually convinced him to let loose and come up with one of the best Marvel films ever made.
Gunn is currently working on The Suicide Squad. He is set to write and direct Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3 although the sequel has not yet been given a release date.
Related: James Gunn Shares New Suicide Squad Cast Photo With Pom Klementieff
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