Disney’s dismissal of James Gunn from his role as director of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3, which Variety reported on Wednesday evening to be a done deal, has hardly been a straightforward affair. Taken at face value, the company’s decision to fire Gunn, prompted by a resurfacing of jokes about pedophilia and rape that he made on Twitter years back, has been chastised by defenders of the directors’ character, most notably his brother Sean and the Guardians films’ starring cast members. Furthermore, Disney’s real motivations have been the subject of skepticism given the context in which Gunn’s tweets have come newly to light: by way of alt-right media personality Mike Cernovich, whose ostensible antipathy for Gunn many have linked to the latter’s vocal politics.

Since the initial reports of Gunn’s firing on July 20, a variety of efforts have been made to reinstate him to the position. Spotlighted in this movement is once again the Guardians‘ central players, who collaborated on a message of support for their director and screenwriter. Dave Bautista, the Guardians films’ fan favorite character Drax the Destroyer, went so far as to proclaim that he would opt out of his contract were Disney to replace Gunn’s completed screenplay for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.

All this is to say that it’s been anyone’s guess as to how the story might progress, though it shouldn’t come as too great a surprise that the evermore powerful Disney would stand its ground despite fan backlash and unrest among its actors. Reports do not confirm officially whether or not Disney will scrap Gunn’s screenplay for Vol. 3, though it is suggested that the script will remain in play, pending creative input from the yet unnamed incoming director.

Once again, this especially convoluted narrative might yet still yield surprises, be they to the delight or chagrin of fans of the Guardians movies and supporters of Gunn. What do you think would be the best course of action for the final chapter of the trilogy, or do you think there’s a larger problem at work? Let us know.

Images: Disney