James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, has been fired by Disney from the franchise after a series of juvenile tweets from years ago were surfaced.
Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, release a statement, saying “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.”
The tweets are tasteless jokes from nine to ten years ago, making light of everything from AIDS sufferers to pedophilia. It is clear that they were meant to be in jest, no matter how juvenile and offensive they may have been. Ironically, the tweets seem to be intentionally dug up by Mike Cernovich, who is affiliated with Alex Jones and other right-wing “provocateurs,” the type of people who typically deride political correctness and social media policing, possibly in an effort to weaponize the “social justice” they are so vocally against.
This is a tough spot for both James Gunn and Disney to be in. It should be clear to anyone examining these tweets in good faith that they were merely jokes, no matter how off color and tasteless. However, the thoughts expressed in the tweets are obviously out of line and unacceptable, giving Disney really no choice but to take him off Marvel projects.
Gunn released the following statements on Twitter regarding the matter:
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
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