Disney Drops 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Director James Gunn Over Offensive Tweets

They said the tweets were ''indefensible" and "inconsistent with our studio's values".
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Director James Gunn has been dropped from the ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ franchise, after a string of offensive tweets posted from his account were unearthed.

James previously directed both of the recent ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ films, and had been attached to helm the upcoming third instalment.

However, BBC News reports that when a string of historic tweets joking about paedophilia and sexual assault were discovered, Disney - who now look after projects in the Marvel cinematic universe - announced that they were letting him go.

James Gunn
James Gunn
Christopher Polk via Getty Images

In a statement, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn 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.”

While James is yet to publicly acknowledge this latest development, he previously spoke out about the offensive post in a string of posts earlier this week, insisting he’s “very, very different” than he was “a few years ago”.

He said: “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.”

1. 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.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 20, 2018

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

3. In the past, I have apologized for humor of mine that hurt people. I truly felt sorry and meant every word of my apologies.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 20, 2018

4. 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.

— 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

James both wrote and directed 2014’s ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’, which starred Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Bradley Cooper, as well as its sequel, which came out in 2017.

It’s yet to be announced who will take over directorial duties on the third film in the franchise, which is currently slated for release in 2020.

In addition to his work on ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’, James previously directed the 2004 remake ‘Dawn Of The Dead’, the horror film ‘Slither’ and the big screen adaptation of ‘Scooby Doo’.

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