Even if big movies debuted their trailers at the SDCC, the most talked about event of this past weekend was the firing of James Gunn. Because of tweets he made about 10 years ago, the director was dismissed by Disney from Guardians of the Galaxy 3. And that even if he already sent a first draft for the threequel.
Many of the fans have already spoken about this and feel strongly that James Gunn should be forgiven by Disney. In this way, a petition has already been signed by about 160.000 people. But, just like many have pointed out, this will change nothing.
James Gunn (Daily Beast)
At this point, this is more than just the firing of a director by a studio. It is very clear that this is, in this moment and for many, a political issue.
After James Gunn's tweets resurfaced, Sen. Ted Cruz called for an investigation and prosecution of the director. Of course, Gunn's fans were present on Cruz's Twitter page, to point out the hypocrisy of the tweet:
Wow. These #JamesGunn tweets are just horrible. Child rape is no laughing matter. As Texas SG, I handled far too many child sexual assaults. Truly evil. I'm glad Disney fired him, but if these tweets are true, he needs to be prosecuted. pic.twitter.com/1IgHC18J4x
"” Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 21, 2018
We've already written here that Dave Bautista was the first to take the director's side. Other Guardians of the Galaxy members than followed:
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.
"” Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) July 22, 2018
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters. Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger."
JAMES 1:19
?♥"” chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) July 22, 2018
Obviously, Sean Gunn was also there to support his brother:
1. I hope it goes without saying that I love and support my brother James. And I’m quite proud of how kind, generous, and compassionate he is with the people in his life, whether they are friends, family, colleagues, fans, or strangers.
"” Sean Gunn (@seangunn) July 21, 2018
As far as Michael Rooker is concerned, the actor announced that he quits Twitter:
2/2
This account will be inactive after today. We’re very tired & upset over the ongoing BULLSHIT… neither I nor my rep will use Twitter again. Twitter sucks and I want nothing to do with it.Thank you to all who gave kind words & support. See you on Instagram.
– MR pic.twitter.com/uAyIOPoAle"” MichaelRookerOnline (@RookerOnline) July 22, 2018
Selma Blair also took the director's side, asking the fans to sign the petition:
Marvel: RE-HIRE JAMES GUNN – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/JeVbFZkQLL via @Change. Because if people are punished despite changing, then what does that teach people about owning mistakes and evolving? This man is one of the good ones.
"” Selma Blair (@SelmaBlair) July 22, 2018
David Dastmalchian (Ant-Man's Kurt), Patton Oswalt (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Koenig), Ricky Gervais, and many others expressed their support:
This is one of the LESS disgusting tweets from Mike Cernovich, the dude who, after running a Gamergate-style smear campaign, just got James Gunn fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. Okay have a good weekend. https://t.co/7DYlin1zgO
"” Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) July 20, 2018
Joking about bad things isn’t the same as doing bad things. The joke may not even be condoning bad things. It could be damming them. It depends on the actually joke. The subject of a joke and the target of a joke can be different. Being offended doesn’t prove the joke is wrong.
"” Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) July 21, 2018
Wow. This is quite a comedown from James Gunn. Mike, we've had this conversation before. There's a qualitative difference between a comedian making jokes – even offensive jokes (me)- and somebody being charged with rape in 2003 (you). https://t.co/b5U7ITKkU7
"” Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) July 21, 2018
Can't believe what Disney is doing to @JamesGunn This nonsense culture of zero tolerance has to stop.
"” Fede Alvarez (@fedalvar) July 21, 2018
This is insane to me. Is this real?! Jesus. Well there goes that R rated jar jar binks movie I've been working on. I QUIT, DISNEY! https://t.co/G9hu4mw3Iq
"” Justin Roiland (@JustinRoiland) July 20, 2018
Cernovich is a cheap provocateur determined to wreck the careers of better men. @JamesGunn was targeted because he is an outspoken critic of @realDonaldTrump‘s criminal bullshit & amorality. James doesn’t deserve this. He should be brought back immediately. #RehireJamesGunn https://t.co/WaBvzw7U4B
"” Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) July 21, 2018
I've known @jamesgunn for a long time and I guarantee that these old tweets were JUST JOKES. You can argue they were bad jokes, or pointless or tasteless or whatever, but they were JUST JOKES. His firing is 100% about his outspoken political beliefs. This is a scary time, y'all.
"” Rhett Miller (@rhettmiller) July 21, 2018
But, as said, this won't change Disney's decision.
