Badass Digest, who broke the supposed big Star Wars: Episode VII plot scoop yesterday, claims to have sources deep inside Disney, and this time they are reporting that Joss Whedon will most likely not return to direct The Avengers 3. They go onto claim that James Gunn is being groomed by Marvel to take over the franchise. Which makes sense if we're to believe that the Guardians of the Galaxy team will show up in this impending Marvel sequel.

Badass Digest points out that James Gunn is signed to do a second Marvel movie, though the title hasn't been revealed. They also point out that most Marvel directors never make it to two movies, Jon Favreau and Joss Whedon being the exception, and Jon Favreau will never return to this Cinematic Universe as a director, at least for the time being (of course that could change). It sounds like Joss Whedon may be too exhausted to take on a third Avengers, and James Gunn ability to handle multiple characters, huge action and lots of laughs in Guardians of the Galaxy makes him the perfect man for the job.

At the Guardians of the Galaxy junket over the weekend, Badass Digest put the theory to the test, asking James Gunn if he was going to return.

About being signed for a second film, and what it might be, the director explained,

"Actually my contract just says another Marvel film, it doesn't specify."

Then this exchange took place:

And so I took a leap and asked him, "How far along are you in negotiations with Kevin Feige to direct The Avengers 3?" I have seen James Gunn in social settings and in press settings, and at this moment I saw James Gunn in one way I had never before seen him: speechless. He kind of sat there gobsmacked for a second. And then he said, "It was great seeing you!" as our interview time was up.

You can take that for what you will. The site also had a chance to speak with Kevin Feige, who denied that any such talks were talking place.

So, what do you think? Do you want to see James Gunn take over on The Avengers 3? Or do you want to see him return for Guardians of the Galaxy 2? It's unlikely he'll do both.