Kevin Feige addresses James Gunn's 'defection' to DCEU for the first time since director's firing

During his first time at the Golden Globes last night, Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige, addressed the topic of James Gunn for the first time since the filmmaker was fired by Disney over the summer.

"I don't see a rivalry, I see cool films being made. And one thing you know about James Gunn, he makes cool films," Feige told MTV's Josh Horowitz, who asked if Gunn's attachment to the Suicide Squad sequel was a point of contention for Marvel. "I went to see Aquaman last night and I really, really enjoyed it. And you know me, I've always supported [them]."

Gunn was removed as director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. in July after a number of his past tweets (involving jokes about rape and pedophilia) resurfaced online. Despite a wave of support from the entire Guardians cast and personal lobbying efforts by Feige, the writer/director/producer was not reinstated to his post.

As a result, the third Guardians film was put on indefinite hold and the crew sent home. Not long after, Gunn (now in high demand by rival studios) was recruited by Warner Bros. to help with their own comic book cinematic universe.

When asked when we might get to see the trilogy capper to one of Marvel Studios' most beloved comsic properties, Feige took a page out of Maz Kanata's book, saying:

"Guardians [Vol. 3] will happen. When, where, how? For a later time."

Of course, Horowitz also had to broach the subject of Avengers: Endgame, the highly-anticipated follow-up to Infinity War, which will debut in theaters after March's Captain Marvel. Specificially, the MCU maestro was questioned on when the title (a major mystery until the release of the first trailer) came to be.

"It was in place before we started developing the movie. Or just as we were developing it," Feige said. “So Doctor Strange says that line because we knew it was the title."

And finally, the conversation turned to Adam McKay helming a Silver Surfer movie for Disney, which is on the verge of acquiring all of Fox's licensed Marvel properties like Norrin Radd, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. McKay, who helped write the screenplay for the first Ant-Man, has expressed interest in tackling a movie about the Surfer.

"He's an honest to goodness fan," added Feige, revealing that Marvel did help McKay in securing a small Galactus cameo in Vice. "I look forward to speaking with him more."

Looking across the rest of the MCU: Black Panther did not take home any awards during last night's Golden Globes, despite being nominated in three categories. Even so, Feige described the Ryan Coogler-directed project as "the most important victory we've ever had."

Captain Marvel arrives March 8, while Avengers: Endgame hits theaters April 26.