Disney’s Writer-Director James Gunn Fired From ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3’ Due To Insensitive Tweets

Scooby-Doo and Guardians of the Galaxy writer-director James Gunn has been terminated by Disney for the new film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Tweets, some near a decade old, have resurfaced to tarnish Gunn’s relationship with Disney-ABC.

“The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values,” Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, “and we have severed our business relationship with him.”

 

Conspiracy theorist Mike Cernovich, best known for promoting the “Pizzagate” theory, dug up some of Gunn’s tweets dating back to 2009 and 2010. Some of the tweets made jokes about pedophilia.

Gunn posted an apology on Twitter:

1. Many people who have followed my career know when I started, I viewed myself as a provocateur, making movies and telling jokes that were outrageous and taboo. As I have discussed publicly many times, as I’ve developed as a person, so has my work and my humor.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 20, 2018

2. It’s not to say I’m better, but I am very, very different than I was a few years ago; today I try to root my work in love and connection and less in anger. My days saying something just because it’s shocking and trying to get a reaction are over.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 20, 2018

3. In the past, I have apologized for humor of mine that hurt people. I truly felt sorry and meant every word of my apologies.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 20, 2018

4. For the record, when I made these shocking jokes, I wasn’t living them out. I know this is a weird statement to make, and seems obvious, but, still, here I am, saying it.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 20, 2018

5. Anyway, that’s the completely honest truth: I used to make a lot of offensive jokes. I don’t anymore. I don’t blame my past self for this, but I like myself more and feel like a more full human being and creator today. Love you to you all.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 20, 2018

 

Additionally, he released an apology statement through ABC.

NEW: James Gunn apologizes for past tweets: “I understand and accept the business decisions taken today…I take full responsibility for the way I conducted myself then. All I can do now, beyond offering my sincere and heartfelt regret, is to be the best human being I can be.” pic.twitter.com/YUMfHYGv85

— ABC News (@ABC) July 20, 2018

However, many people disagree with the action of firing Gunn from the new film. Over 50,000 people have already signed a petition to get him rehired, including director Joe Carnahan.