Since Disney’s decision to fire “Guardians of the Galaxy” director,
James Gunn, production of Volume 3 of the sci-fi action film series has
been halted, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
On Friday, the outlet reported a small group of crew members that had
been prepping for the pre-production of the film had been dismissed and
are said to be free to explore new work options while Disney and Marvel
work on regrouping the project.
The Marvel film was originally slated to be directed by Gunn and was to begin pre-production in the fall.
Disney made the decision to fire the director of the box office hit
after old tweets in which he made light of issues like rape and
pedophilia came back into the spotlight. Although the director had
previously addressed the tweets, he released a second statement
apologizing for his remarks and explaining that he tried to be
provocative in his early career but does not stand by any of the remarks
that he made in the resurfaced tweets.
“I have regretted them for many years since — not just because they were
stupid, not at all funny, wildly insensitive, and certainly not
provocative like I had hoped, but also because they don’t reflect the
person I am today or have been for some time,” Gunn said in a statement.
“Regardless of how much time has passed, I understand and accept the
business decisions taken today. Even these many years later, I take full
responsibility for the way I conducted myself then.”
Following Gunn’s controversial firing, the full cast of the “Guardians”
series released a joint statement in support of their director.
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper,
Sean Gunn, Vin Diesel, Pom Klementieff and Michael Rooker all signed an
open letter addressing the issue and calling for Gunn to be reinstated
as the film’s director.
“We fully support James Gunn,” it begins. “We were all shocked by his
abrupt firing last week and have intentionally waited these ten days to
respond in order to think, pray, listen and discuss.
“We are not here to defend his jokes of many years ago but rather to
share our experience having spent many years together on set making
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ 1 and 2,” the cast members stated. “The
character he has shown in the wake of his firing is consistent with the
man he was every day on set, and his apology, now and from years ago
when first addressing these remarks, we believe is from the heart, a
heart we all know, trust and love.”
The statement went on to highlight the lack of due process Gunn received
before his firing, noting that the political atmosphere in America has
brought the world down a unique rabbit hole of sensitivity to past
remarks.
“James is likely not the last good person to be put on trial,” the
letter continued. “Given the growing political divide in this country,
it’s safe to say instances like this will continue, although we hope
Americans from across the political spectrum can ease up on the
character assassinations and stop weaponizing mob mentality.”
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