Marvel’s return to Atlanta is suffering from a rough start, with the production of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 reportedly put on hold.
According to reports, Marvel dismissed crew members for the sequel and producers have stopped preproduction for “regrouping.”
The Hollywood Reporter reports the project was scheduled for preproduction this fall but production has been stopped following the firing of director James Gunn, who had made controversial social media posts from 2008 to 2012.
Despite nearly 400,000 signatures on an online petition to hire James Gunn for the sequel and an open letter signed by cast members of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Gunn will not be allowed to direct the next installment in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
Marvel Cinematic Universe in Georgia
It is important to highlight the impact Marvel’s Cinematic Universe has on Georgia’s film industry. But, the major movie studio has decided to film their projects elsewhere. Since 2018, the Peach State has seen a reported drop in Marvel productions shooting in the state. Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson was rumored to film in Atlanta but after receiving $20.8 million in tax credits, studio executives decided to film in Los Angeles. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was supposed to be the next Marvel movie to shoot in Georgia.
But, this does not mean Marvel Studios is going to turn their back on Georgia’s film industry. In February, the head of physical production at Marvel, David Grant, said they there not “abandoning” Georgia.
“I’d like to squelch a rumor that I’ve heard for months and weeks, almost on a daily basis. I keep hearing that Marvel is abandoning Georgia. I don’t know where these rumors start. It’s not true. There’s no basis to it,” said Grant.
Eight of Marvel’s most popular movies filmed in Georgia including Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and two Ant-Man movies. The previous Guardians of the Galaxy movie spent more than $75 million during is production in Georgia and hired 1,400 Georgia locals as cast and crew.
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