Gunn at a carpet event for Guardians of the Galaxy | Photo: Flickr/Red Carpet Report
Walt Disney Studios today (20 July) fired director James Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. He previously directed the first two films.
The move came after offensive tweets unearthed by people.
Alan Horn, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, issued the following statement: ‘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 include ‘jokes’ about pedophilia that are homophobic in nature. Several of them are screenshot below, most which date from between 2008 and 2012.
#WalkAway pic.twitter.com/cI8BdWxedu
— Jack Posobiec🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) July 20, 2018
Gunn addressed the tweets on his own Twitter account
He wrote that he has ‘developed as a person’ and so has his ‘work and humor’.
Gunn’s tweets | Photo: Twitter @JamesGunn
He continued by saying he previously apologized for the comments, and ‘truly felt sorry and meant every word of my apologies’.
More of Gunn’s tweets | Photo: Twitter @JamesGunn
Change and alt-right voices
Gunn’s firing started a complex conversation about Hollywood, mob mentalities, and responsibility.
Director Lexi Alexander tweeted about this idea soon after his firing became news.
These Hollywood firings are so random.I’m all for cleaning up this town, but can we have some normal rules instead of acting like the Mob where your time is up if you pissed off the wrong person? Because this just leaves us with no real defense against sexual harassment or racism
— Lexi Alexander (@Lexialex) July 20, 2018
The conversation stems from the conservative website The Daily Caller originally unearthing the tweets.
Numerous alt-right figures then began tweeting about Gunn and his old tweets, including Mike Cernovich, a leading voice in the Pizzagate conspiracy that attacked Hillary Clinton.
More recently, Gunn had become a more active political voice on Twitter. He tweeted left-leaning views and was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump.
Alexander continued her thoughts, reminding people that the man who assaulted Terry Crews is still working:
It’s the idea that we can only successfully get rid of abusers who made enemies that frightens me. The guy who assaulted Terry Crews still has his job and no one seems to be bothered by it
— Lexi Alexander (@Lexialex) July 20, 2018
Given that Gunn had previously apologized for the tweets, some took it to mean Disney already knew about them and only acted now because of right-wing pressure.
Some are saying Disney should give Gunn his job back, due to how this was manufactured.
Correct. Perhaps they should add “We don’t know what the fuck we were thinking capitulating to a guy who popularized Pizzagate and whose rallying cry is to unearth the ring of pedophiles presently dominating Hollywood.” @Disney @MarvelStudios https://t.co/H0UlurUmvX
— Lindsay Ellis is just lurking @SDCC (@thelindsayellis) July 20, 2018
‘Understanding and accepting’
Gunn released a lengthier statement addressing his firing and apologizing once more.
My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative. 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.
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.
All I can do now, beyond offering my sincere and heartfelt regret, is to be the best human being I can be: accepting, understanding, committed to equality, and far more thoughtful about my public statements and my obligations to our public discourse. To everyone inside my industry and beyond, I again offer my deepest apologies. Love to all.
Gunn was supposed to appear at Sony’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con today, but will no longer be present.
