James Gunn Reportedly Tried To Take Sole Credit For the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Screenplay
Since the release of Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn has become synonymous with Marvel’s intergalactic heroes.
Before jumping ship to head the all-new DC Universe, Gunn directed all three Guardians of the Galaxy films, infusing the franchise with offbeat humor and a lot of heart.
Interestingly, however, Gunn was not the original writer of the first Guardians of the Galaxy. That distinction would belong to Nicole Perlman, who wrote the film’s initial draft of the film before Gunn came on board. After Perlman handed in her script, Gunn wrote his own Guardians draft, making drastic changes to the script.
Gunn Tried To Get Perlman’s Screenwriting Credit Removed
In the new book The Reign of Marvel Studios, Thor screenwriter Zack Stentz, who is a friend of Perlaman, alleges that not only did Gunn try to have Perlman’s screenwriting credit removed, but he also leaked information to the media in order to undermine her.
Eventually, there was an arbitration hearing over the script credit and Perlman won, allowing her to keep her name in the credits of Guardians of the Galaxy. She reportedly then threw an “F James Gunn” party upon the film’s release.
Gunn would go on to write and direct both Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3, becoming something of the face of the franchise in the process.
Perlman meanwhile would go on to work on Captain Marvel and has been attached to a female-led Fast & Furious spinoff.
While Gunn likely has his own side to the story, the latest allegations against the director do not paint him in a good light. Hopefully, the DC Universe head will address the story.