The Guardians of the Galaxy star defended the director after controversial tweets recently resurfaced
Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista has defended James Gunn following Disney’s decision to fire the director.
It came after a series of controversial tweets Gunn had made some years ago recently resurfaced.
- Read more: James Gunn has been dropped as director of ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy 3’
- Read more: Guardians Of The Galaxy 3: what we know so far about the next chapter in the Marvel series
On Friday (July 20), chairman of Walt Disney Studios Alan Horn said in a statement that Gunn had been fired because the posts were “indefensible.”
He added: “The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’s Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values, and we have severed our business relationship with him.”
Gunn, who wrote and directed the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies, received criticism after a series of controversial social media posts about 9/11, rape and paedophilia resurfaced.
However, today (July 21), Bautista has taken to social media to defend the director saying that he is “not ok” with what has happened.
On Twitter, Bautista wrote: “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.
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.”
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. 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
— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) July 21, 2018
Gunn responded to the tweets, saying that he had “developed as a person” since he first made the controversial comments.
“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 humour.”
He added: “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.”
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
David Dastmalchian, who plays Kurt in Ant-Man also appeared to support Gunn after posting a picture of himself on Instagram with Gunn, saying he was “one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known – both professionally and personally.”
He added: “[There] are so many people in our lives that we would never have known without the incredible magnet of talent & goodness that is james (& his awesome partner in life, @jenniferlholland). thanks for making us a part of your family, buddy.”
The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has made over £1.2bn worldwide; the third film was planned for release in 2020.