It’s no secret that the entertainment world has been infatuated with Chris Pratt since Guardians of the Galaxy was released back in 2014. The hilarious movie was an instant hit, full of some of Hollywood’s top stars like Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana and Vin Diesel. There was no stopping the franchise as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was an even bigger box office hit. But there’s been a little bump in the road for the megastars.
On June 20, it was announced that the movie series’ director James Gunn was fired after controversial tweet surfaced from his past in which he joked about offensive topics like pedophelia, rape, 9/11 and the Holocaust. After the tweets were brought to light this year, Disney decided to cut all ties with the well-liked director.
In a statement from Alan Horn, Walt Disney Studios Chairman, said, “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.” At the time, Gunn was in the process of creating the script for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and although he has apologized for the tweets saying that he has “regretted” saying the things he did, he hasn’t been reinstated as the director (which Pratt and the rest of the cast are not happy with).
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
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
Gunn played an integral role in making the Guardians movies such a success, and the films stars want him back.
Pratt released an open letter signed by the entire cast calling for the reinstatement of Gunn. On Instagram, Pratt posted the statement with the caption, “Although I don’t support James Gunn’s inappropriate jokes from years ago, he is a good man. I’d personally love to see him reinstated as director of Volume 3.” and then encouraged his followers to read the full statement.
Although the cast disapproves of the things that Gunn has said in the past, they support him as their director and want to continue to work with him on the Guardians franchise. “We cannot let this moment pass with expressing our love, support and gratitude for James,” the statement read, “We are not here to defend his jokes of many years ago but rather share our experience having spent so many years on set making Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and 2.”
They believe that the director’s sincere apology shows enough remorse for his past actions, but that the public has not given Gunn the due process he deserves. They hope to be able to continue to work with him, and believe that since he allowed each of their characters to find redemption in the Guardians movies that he should be able to find redemption as well.
There hasn’t been a comment from Disney yet as to whether or not Gunn will be reinstated, but with the support that Pratt and the other members of the cast have in their fan base, it may just happen.