When we were younger we all did things — stupid things that we wish we could go back and change. But we were young and dumb and at the time thought we were being cool. We thought it wouldn’t matter what we’ve done in that time. There’s a lot of things that I’ve done that I’m not proud of, but I’m glad I did them because I grew and learned from my mistakes. You can’t grow if you haven’t made a mistake.
James Gunn knew he made mistakes 10 years ago. He has openly addressed his past mistakes. He addressed his tweets and apologized and regretting making them. It’s not like this wasn’t common knowledge the tweets he had posted they have always been there. But now it’s an issue. Now people are angry and upset about them.
I don’t condone or agree with any of the tweets he posted back then, but that was 10 years ago and, as Gunn had addressed on his Twitter, he was a different person back then. He has grown a lot since those tweets.
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
I understand Disney has an image to uphold. I understand that Disney has morals and values for their company. Disney is a family company and the tweets Gunn tweeted were not family friendly. However, at the same time Disney knew about these tweets when they hired Gunn. He apologized for these tweets back in 2012 when he was hired by Disney. With that being sai,d if we were to look into Disney’s past record they weren’t perfect either ..
Some of the old Disney movies weren’t very flattering. Just look at Song of the South, the crows from Dumbo. Let us not forget the song “What Makes the Red Man Red” from Peter Pan. Disney grew beyond those types of insensitive movies and songs, and we gave them a second chance. So why not James Gunn?
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. If you please, read the… https://t.co/FWBXkZilB7
— chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) July 30, 2018
The whole story of Guardians of the Galaxy is one of becoming better. The Guardians were all outcasts who weren’t the greatest people. They had all done things they weren’t proud of, but they came together and realized they could be better. They moved on and formed the Guardians of The Galaxy, and they did just that: They guarded the galaxy.
Look at Yondu Udonta: In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 he had a long history of mistakes — mistakes that cost him his friends and his job. When the moment came Yondu didn’t think twice and made the ultimate sacrifice, and in the end the colors of Ogord flashed at his funeral — a Ravagers funeral.
The Guardians of the Galaxy universe is full of redemption for all of the characters. It was something that Gunn took to heart he’s always felt the Guardians were a part of him, like they were his way of healing and becoming a better person.
If you please, read the statement written and signed by The Guardians of the Galaxy cast in support of James Gunn’s reinstatement as director of GOTG Volume 3. pic.twitter.com/TjNA9RF6M8
— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) July 30, 2018
James Gunn made a mistake. But who honestly hasn’t? who can honestly say they haven’t done something they’ve regretted? I know I have a lot of regrets in my life. I’ve owned up to them — and so did Gunn.
Actor Sean Gunn tweeted some inspiring tweets about his brother, tweets that really spoke to me and ignited a spark in me.
9. So I guess my hope is that fans continue to watch and appreciate the Guardians movies, not despite the fact that the filmmaker used to be kind of a jackass, but because of it. They are, after all, movies about discovering your best self.
— Sean Gunn (@seangunn) July 21, 2018
These Marvel movies have always meant the world to me, left me feeling different and changed. And to hear that James Gunn experienced that as well really spoke volumes to me.
The only reason Gunn’s tweets are news again is Mike Cernovich, an alt-right media personality with his own history of unflattering tweets — tweets that deal with rape. Cernovich actually was accused of rape, but the case was dropped. If he wants to prove something by going after James Gunn for his tweets maybe he should look into the mirror; his tweets talking about rape and how date rape doesn’t exist were disgusting. He’s tweeted very distasteful things about women, as well as calling out women for fake rape accusations among other things.
If Disney wants to base their decision on a man like Cernovich, they really need to look into the kind of person he is. If this kind of person can sway them to fire someone who has proved he’s changed, then I don’t know what that says about Disney as a company.
Again, I understand why Disney felt they needed to fire Gunn, but I also feel they reacted before thinking. If Disney considered the source of the outrage against Gunn, the company wouldn’t think it could get away with firing him.
I will do what Im legally obligated to do but @Guardians without @JamesGunn is not what I signed up for. GOTG w/o @JamesGunn just isn’t GOTG. Its also pretty nauseating to work for someone who’d empower a smear campaign by fascists #cybernazis . That’s just how I feel https://t.co/Ym4FwruVDu
— Super Duper Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) August 5, 2018
My hope is Disney looks into everything. The cast of Guardians of The Galaxy has stood up for Gunn and want him back as their director. Actor Dave Bautista (Drax) has been very vocal about the fact that he may not want to be involved with Disney, despite contractual obligations, and that if Marvel refuses to use the script Gunn wrote for Guardians 3 he doesn’t want to be apart of it.
I want nothing more than for Disney to reinstate James Gunn. I want them to look over everything, including the shadiness of Mike Cernovich as well the outpouring of support from fans everywhere — fans like myself.
If we are all to be judged by all our past mistakes, then how can anyone expect to hold a job? James Gunn apologized and learned from his mistakes. So why can’t Disney give him a second chance? If the Guardians have taught me anything, it’s that we all deserve a second chance to prove we are better than we were before.
