Taika Waititi says he doesn't want to replace James Gunn on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

The director who many hoped would take over the troubled production of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has taken himself out of consideration.

Marvel is still seeking a new director for the project, after James Gunn was fired last summer over resurfaced offensive tweets dug up by alt-right provocateur Mike Cernovich. When Gunn was removed, the first name that came up among fans as the ideal replacement was Taika Waititi, who has proven himself capable of directing a Marvel action-comedy set in outer space with 2017's Thor: Ragnarok.

But on Monday, Waititi said he doesn't want the job. "For me, those are James [Gunn]'s films," Waititi said, Deadline reports. "Going into something like that with his stamp all over his films, would be like going into someone’s house and saying 'Hey, I’m your new dad, and this is how we make peanut butter sandwiches now.' It feels kind of awkward." When asked if he met with Marvel before deciding he didn't want to direct Vol. 3, Waititi said, "I didn't really."

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was originally set to begin pre-production last fall for a likely summer 2020 release, but the project was put on hold following Gunn's firing. The Hollywood Reporter had written in August that Marvel and Disney were "taking a measured approach in their search for a director," but there have not since been any updates even as cast members like Chris Pratt reassure fans that the film will still happen — at some point.