The main cast of “Guardians of the Galaxy” has written an open letter asking for the James Gunn to be rehired for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”
James Gunn is instrumental in the monumental success of the space-faring superhero movies “Guardians of the Galaxy” and the sequel. The movies are blockbuster hits and turned some unlikely characters into household names. Plus, his humorous and quirky style make them the most original films in the MCU. But Gunn wasn’t always so beloved.
He was fired after several vile tweets about rape and sex with children were given attention. The jokes are reprehensible and Disney quickly fired him after it began to get media attention. Gunn had apologized several times before the scandal but the turmoil was too much for Disney.
Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said, “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 and Marvel Studios never announced an official release date for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”. But preparations to shoot in Atlanta this fall had begun and Gunn was working on a script. Gunn previously said the film would open in 2020.
The cast had been mostly silent about the topic. Some, like his brother Sean and Michael Rooker, were open about their support of Gunn. Others took a more measured approach while avoiding naming James Gunn.
Gamora actress Zoe Saldana said on Twitter, “It’s been a challenging weekend I’m not gonna lie. I’m pausing myself to take everything in before I speak out of term. I just want everyone to know I love ALL members of my GOTG family. Always will.”
Star-Lord actor Chris Pratt tweeted, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters. Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. JAMES 1:19”
Karen Gillan, who plays Nebula, said: “Love to every single member of my GOTG family.”
Mantis actress Pom Klementieff recently said, “Though I don’t support James Gunn’s inappropriate jokes from years ago he is a good man. I’d personally love to see him reinstated as director of Volume 3. If you please, read the following statement- signed by our entire cast.”
Voice actors Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, who play Rocket Racoon and Groot respectively have said nothing before this.
Here’s the letter in full:
An Open Letter from the Cast of “Guardians of the Galaxy”
To our fans and friends:
We fully support James Gunn. 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. In that time, we’ve been encouraged by the outpouring of support from fans and members of the media who wish to see James reinstated as director of Volume 3 as well as discouraged by those so easily duped into believing the many outlandish conspiracy theories surrounding him.
Being in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies has been a great honor in each of our lives. We cannot let this moment pass without expressing our love, support, and gratitude for James. 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 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. In casting each of us to help him tell the story of misfits who find redemption, he changed our lives forever. We believe the theme of redemption has never been more relevant than now.
Each of us looks forward to working with our friend James again in the future. His story isn’t over – not by a long shot.
There is little due process in the court of public opinion. James is likely not the last good person to be put on trial. 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.
It is our hope that what has transpired can serve as an example for all of us to realize the enormous responsibility we have to ourselves and to each other regarding the use of our written words when we etch them in digital stone; that we as a society may learn from this experience and in the future will think twice before we decide what we want to express; and in so learning perhaps can harness this capability to help and heal instead of hurting each other. Thank you for taking the time to read our words.
The Guardians of the Galaxy,
Chris Pratt
Zoe Saldana
Dave Bautista
Bradley Cooper
Karen Gillan
Sean Gunn
Vin Diesel
Pom Klementieff
Michael Rooker
There’s a Change.org petition calling for his rehiring that now has over 300,000 signatures.
I’ll be honest. The geek in me is fighting with the man in me. He made some inexcusably bad jokes when he was younger. But he did apologize even before the scandal broke and I do love the movies. So it’s a toss-up.
Either way, it’s nice to see how close of a family the cast and crew have become.
Do you think James Gunn should be rehired by Disney?
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