UPDATE: Gunn will not be taking part in Sony’s Hall H panel this evening, as planned (via Variety).
Original story follows…
In a shocking turn of events, even without a massive presence at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios has somehow managed to steal headlines with the news that filmmaker James Gunn, known for his first two massive “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, has been fired from the third installment by Disney.
You read that right. James Gunn is no longer part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Wow.
Here’s the official statement from Disney chairman Alan Horn (via Deadline):
“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.”
This all started two days ago when Gunn inserted himself in the whole Mark Duplass/Ben Shapiro Twitter debacle. As everyone started piling on Duplass for his tweet endorsing conservative pundit Shapiro, Gunn stepped in and tweeted his support for Duplass, while also condemning Shapiro in the process.
As you might imagine, this angered liberal-minded people who didn’t think it was a good look for Gunn to support Duplass at the time, and conservative folks who didn’t like one of their own getting insulted. To follow this up, Gunn went on a Twitter tirade against President Donald Trump about the Russia investigation. Not that this is news to anyone, as Gunn has never been shy about sharing his political beliefs. However, after putting a target on his back from the Duplass situation, people decided to scour his Twitter history. An outrage backlash, of sorts.
And let’s just say, what they found wasn’t good for someone who works for Disney.
They uncovered tweets making light of pedophilia, rape, and other things. Even though these were clearly jokes that were posted almost a decade ago, once they went viral, Disney had no other choice than to pull the plug on Gunn. The real question now is, “What next?”
Gunn was DEEP into pre-production on “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” In fact, reports started circulating that the film was going to begin production in early 2019. At this point, Disney has a finished script and can move forward with a new director. However, that’s not the only project Gunn was working on with Marvel Studios. Kevin Feige had previously said that Gunn was integral in the expansion of the Cosmic side of the MCU. Now, what? Who will they hire for ‘Guardians 3?’ Is there a black eye on the franchise for those MCU fans that love Gunn’s work?
This is also horrible timing for Gunn in another way. Gunn was deeply involved in a new secret horror project that was going to announced at SDCC in Hall H later this afternoon. Word on whether or not Gunn will show up or decide to remove himself is still up in the air. You have to imagine all eyes will be on the presentation, however.
With all this uncertainty, one thing is for sure – the MCU, and especially the Cosmic side of the universe, is now without it’s biggest creative voice. We’ll just have to wait and see what exactly that means for the future.
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Dumb
And of course it was the “left” that dug up the old stuff (cause let’s be honest, the “right” aren’t that tech savvy) and it was all because Gunn (a leftist) said he supported Mark Duplass (another leftist) for even mentioning that of people want to try to examine the other side of the aisle, they should check out Ben Shapiro. So not only was Duplass bullied into deleting his tweet and denouncing Shapiro, but Gunn came under fire simply for supporting a friend’s call for bipartisanship, all the while Gunn still said he didn’t support Shapiro in anyway. WOW.
Talk about devouring themselves. Gunn was one of “them” and did much more for them than against them. But this is what happens when you step out of the line and the groupthink. And to think that the people that did this, already knew about his tweets and views and we’re okay with them as long as he was doing what they wanted him to.
Mike Cenovich is on the left now? That’s weird for a proud alt-right journalist.
You fucking retard, delete your comment you look foolish
Well this very article claimed it was left leaning people who didn’t like that Gunn defended Duplass. So blame the article for not getting the facts first. Imagine that. Not that it matters. The left cheered when it happened to Rosanne and now the right will cheer this. I personally think it’s sad people can’t have their own opinions anymore without getting fired or attacked.
Yes, the monolithic “left” that only exists in the mind of paranoid conservatives. (But not too paranoid because they believe in the Almighty Donald Trump). The person or several people who “dug up” easily accessible information on James Gunn weren’t from the “left” or “right”. They were individuals who were annoyed with a guys holier than thou attitude that he continually expressed on Twitter, instead of simply making movies and living his life. Maybe if he just did his job & stopped trying to be a hero to morons online — he’d still have his job. Also, if Guardians 2 wasn’t shit — that would’ve helped.
Right, because no liberal has ever railed about the “right.” Except, you know, all of them.
Where oh where is Mcarthy when you need him ?
Have no doubt what is to follow. Guardian fans will be leaving this franchise in droves when more comes out. Disgusting. Sorry Chris but – now ? No way… too bad
Disney cannot associate themselves with someone who tweets that he likes little boys touching his silly place (those are his words). No matter what’s the reason is (even if it’s supposed to be some kind of a provocation, or art).
Many other people lost their jobs over way less offensive tweets.
Yet Disney seem to have no issue making money on a film where Ryan Reynolds gets pegged?
There is a really good book which came out about 20 years ago….”Disney, The Mouse Betrayed” by Peter and Rochelle Schweitzer. After reading that book I would never recommend for any child to have anything to do with Disney (Movies, theme parks, toys or other). The Disney corporation is evil
It’s gonna be crazy in 50 years to see the history books talk about Twitter being the fall of America. I wish Twitter didn’t exist so everyone can keep their thoughts and opinions to theirselves and their friends like the good old days. Haha!
I agree with you but Twitter aside, nobody should have to keep their thoughts and opinions to themselves because, last I checked, we don’t live under a dictatorship.
YOU GOT THAT, SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIORS??? YOU REALLY PISSED ME OFF THIS TIME!
ha ha ha karma man! Gunn trashed Trump for his lack of class on Twitter and it bit Gunn in the backside – I love it. Stick to making marginally good film Gunn and duck tape your mouth shut.
HILARIOUS. I thought they hired million dollar directors to make GOOD choices? What’s with all the idiots with Twitter accounts ruining their lives these days? FWIW – I read his tweets and they were right to fire him. Some of them weren’t even remotely humorous, they were just plain sick. With all the sexually deviant behaviour in the industry alot of it sounded like ‘many a truth told in jest’. I sure as hell wouldn’t let him babysit my kids after talk like that. Guess thats two jobs he’ll never have again….keep Tweetin’ dummies!
And yet we have a president that behaves worse on twitter who’s a perfect example? Get out of your own way enough to see how stupid you sound.
LOL. First of all Chef, IDK how you got anything pro-Trump outta my comment but ‘Behaves worse on Twitter’…how exactly do you quantify that? I’m pretty sure Trump never bragged about diddling little kids or thanked NAMBLA for helping him feel better about himself. If not being a creep makes me sound stupid, I’m fine with that.
These people are crazy!
Gunn should definitely go. I had no I idea about his past. Given what I know now about that past, I find it really hard to swallow that Disney “discovered” this yesterday. His past is full of obscene and derogatory comments that were no secret. I’m almost more disappointed in Kevin Feige and Bob Iger for failing to uphold the integrity of the brand by elevating this guy to Disney Marvel director
Oh Josh, you’re probably one of those ‘holier than thou art’ persons who claims to have never made an ill advised comment or joke in your life. Good for you. I guess it must be a daunting task for you to go through all the IMDB credits of people who worked in the movieindustry just to be sure you’re watching a wholesome film. Now be a man and delete all your illegally downloaded Marvel movies from your hard drive to wash the filth away and secure your place in heaven.
Ooh…..jokes. What’s next, private thoughts?
The Obama IRS under Lois Lerner wanted to know the “content of people’s prayers” in the context of a 501C3 they were attempting to punish. No outrage that I can recall when that happened, so yes, private thoughts, prayers, etc. All fair game.
We let this happen, by the way. As much as I disagree with this kind of commentary we should not support this type of thing, really. They will come for everyone, eventually.
I am fighting my happiness for a liberal to be eaten alive by leftist tactics. I am conflicted.
The Trump Curse strikes again!
We don’t wanna lose money so we made decision based on something no one would even care about if not for twitter. You reap what you sew…you let NONSENSE social media MEAN something and now it’s unstoppable. I’m glad I grew up without the internet, ignorance WAS bliss.What’s funny is all the good, decent people in the world who’ve never done or said anything dumb or wrong apparently ALL use twatter.
So then there is no such thing as
Freedom of speech.
If that’s the case then why is one of the biggest mouths known for wrong speech still sitting on top of the world.
No punishment of any kind, and this guy gets fired from a company that hired and has had scandal in all their branches of their studios.
Sure there is freedom of speech. That’s why if you are going to leave comments that are “not politically correct” you do it under a fake name. Someone goes looking up who “Barfco Bail Bonds” is they will find out it is someone named Alan Smithee. Good luck figuring out who that is? Remember ShawShank Redemption and how Tim Robins explained if they ever go looking for so and so banker they will find someone made up as a figment of my imagination. Safer this way as you can see!!!
This is all tragic and fascinating. I am a Marvel fan, MCU fan, and Guardians of the Galaxy fan. I have enjoyed many of Gunn’s films (Super, Slither, GOTG 1 and 2) but I’m not terribly familiar with his Troma work, so I would not really call myself a Gunn fan. With that preface, I think the tweets (while certainly in poor taste) were just an excuse (and not the true reason) for Disney to fire him. Obviously they must have already known about all of this long ago. There is more going on than what is in the headlines.
I think Disney is making a mistake by firing Gunn, but certainly time will tell. (Btw, I’m a Trump supporter, and I think Ben Shapiro is brilliant.)
This hole situation is such a mess.
Are everyone who writes dumb things going to get punished for it?
It will continue to be selective. The fascinating thing here is that Gunn is a liberal. Liberals usually can get away with this kind of stuff
The general public should be able to say whatever they like,including crap I find offensive. Politicians however are a different story,they work for us and should be held to a different standard. So no,Roseanne and Gunn should not have been fired,and Trump should have never even made the nomination.
i work for home depot nothing special, would home depot be allowed to fire me if i said the thing on my twitter as james gunn did ????
In any “right to work” state, any employer can fire you for any reason or no reason at all, besides the big 5 (age, sex, sexual preference, religion, race). James Gunn likely had some kind of morals clause in his contract which would have made it very easy for Disney to cut ties. I doubt you have any such contract with your employer.
That’s funny I thought free speech was protected by the 1st Ammendment, I hope he gets a lawyer and sues the shit out of Disney.
Since when is Twitter the End All & Be All of what can be said. Just because you don’t like what someone says doesn’t make it “Hate Speech” just means your a pussy who’s easily offended.
Hate speech promotes Violence towards others like Maxine Powers telling people to asault and to be violent towards others.
Ha, Disney has more money and lawyers than God. They have nothing to worry about. I am certain James Gunn had a morals clause in his contract. It is common practice.