While a film franchise such as Guardians of the Galaxy involves hundreds of decision makers, including screenwriters, actors, editors, and producers, it’s not out of line to say that this one has been director James Gunn’s vision and product most of all. Moving forward, that vision is going to change as, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn has been fired from the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 following the reveal of old, offensive tweets the director made.
Gunn has been no stranger to courting controversy on Twitter and has been a vocal opponent of President Trump over the last few years. However, conservative personalities such as Jack Posobiec recently unearthed a collection of old tweets that show the filmmaker joking about controversial topics such as pedophilia and rape.
.@Disney statement: "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" https://t.co/zTSEkKLhkH
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 20, 2018
“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 in a statement.
Gunn recently deleted his Twitter account but before he did he tweeted, “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.”
He eventually reactivated his account.
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
Gunn began his career in filmmaking with Troma Entertainment, a low-budget outfit known for making lowbrow and provocative movies. He made the movie to the big leagues by penning the script for 2002’a Scooby-Doo and went on to write the 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed before writing and directing Slither, a cult classic gross-out horror film.
In 2014, Gunn helmed the original Guardians of the Galaxy film, which was a smash success, hauling in $773.3 million for Marvel Studios and launching a surprise breakout franchise. It also helped make stars out of Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, and Zoe Saldana. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, released last year, did even better with a box office take of $863.8 million, making Gunn a hot commodity who could call his own shots. However, the gravy train looks like it’s going to take a detour for at least a while.
Gunn was in the midst of writing the script for Guardians 3, which was expected to begin shooting in Atlanta this fall for an expected 2020 release date. It’s currently unclear how Gunn’s dismissal will affect that, though it’s unlikely that Disney will allow a franchise with that kind of money-making power to be damaged too much. Marvel also has too much riding on the continuity of their release schedule and how every film feeds into the next one.
Regardless, it will be interesting to see what a Guardians of the Galaxy film looks like without Gunn’s vision. Will it follow his blueprint or will we see a different look and feel (and soundtrack)?
[THR]
