After months of rumors about a new Guardians of the Galaxy director and radio silence from both Disney and Marvel, it makes sense that their decision had been to bring back James Gunn all along. Although only recently announced last March 16, it seems that Disney had welcomed Gunn back several months ago after both parties came to an understanding.
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1106633508657651712
Gunn was initially fired from the project for a slew of insensitive tweets he made a few years back. Though none were seriously meant, they touched on taboo subjects such as pedophilia and rape. Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn made the executive decision to cut Gunn from the project as the statements were “indefensible and inconsistent with [Disney’s] values.”
In the aftermath, Gunn graciously conducted himself by owning up to his mistakes and fully apologizing for them. He tweeted:
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.
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.
In the past, I have apologized for humor of mine that hurt people. I truly felt sorry and meant every word of my apologies. 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.
People speculate that the apology, along with his respectful behavior towards Disney, is what helped bridge the relations. Several cast members from the GotG franchise publicly stated their support of the director as well. There was even an open letter addressed Disney which pleaded for his reinstatement.
(LOOK: “Guardians of the Galaxy” cast write letter of support for James Gunn)
Thankfully, now both cast and fans alike can celebrate this good news. The only grey cloud left is that the third installment may take some time yet. Production is set to begin after Gunn wraps up on the Suicide Squad sequel. But it’s a small price to pay for this victory.
How do you feel about this? Did you want to see a new director at the helm of Guardians of the Galaxy?
