ABC/Randy Holmes(LOS ANGELES) — In the wake of Guardians of the Galaxy writer/director James Gunn’s firing from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Friday, cast members are speaking out against Disney’s decision.
Gunn was dismissed after some problematic tweets Gunn sent between seven and ten years ago resurfaced.
“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,” Walt Disney Company Chairman Alan Horn said in a statement Friday afternoon.
Though most of the controversial tweets have been deleted, one of them read, “Laughter is the best medicine. That’s why I laugh at people with AIDS.”
Despite the content of the tweets, Dave Bautista — who plays Drax in the GotG franchise — came out in support of Gunn on Twitter.
“I will have more to say but for right now all I will say is this..@JamesGunn is one of the most loving, caring, good-natured people I have ever met,” Bautista wrote. “He’s gentle and kind and cares deeply for people and animals. He’s made mistakes. We all have. Im NOT ok with what’s happening to him.”
Even actress Selma Blair, a powerful voice in the #metoo movement, said she sides with Gunn.
“If people are punished despite changing, then what does that teach people about owning mistakes and evolving?” Blair wrote in a tweet. “This man is one of the good ones.”
Gun issued a statement after his dismissal, telling fans he’s changed since he posted the tweets in question.
“My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative,” he said. “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.”
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