This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.
According to Deadline, James Gunn has been removed as director of the Guardians Of The Galaxy series after a batch of old social media dispatches were unearthed that touched on areas like pedophilia and rape.
Here is a link to Mike Cernovich’s website where Cernovich unearths all the tweets – James Gunn Endorses Pedophilia in 10,000 Deleted Tweets
Disney put out a statement this afternoon as well.
“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,” said Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn.
Gunn posted a Twitter response:
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.
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.
The tweets found by Cernovich are a big budget career killer for Gunn, he will go dark for a couple of years but will eventually return.
What do you think of the comments, and do you think Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 will get a new director? Comment below with your thoughts.
