Disney fires ‘Guardians of Galaxy’ director over controversial tweets
Disney fired “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” director James Gunn after a number of offensive tweets made more than a half-dozen years ago were unearthed. The tweets made light of rape and pedophilia.
“The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values, and we have severed our business relationship with him,” Disney studio chairman Alan Horn said in a statement.
The first two Guardians of the Galaxy films combined for a total take of $1.6 billion worldwide. The third installment was scheduled for release in 2020.
The tweets were unearthed by conservative critics who oppose his political beliefs. Gunn often criticizes President Trump, according to FOX News.
Most of the tweets date between 2008 and 2011. In one, Gunn wrote, “The best thing about being raped is when you’re done being raped and it’s like ‘whew this feels great, not being raped!” In another he joked that attending a meeting of the North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) made him finally feel “…ok being who I am,” according to Variety.
Gunn responded in tweets today:
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
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
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
