Advertisement

Disney forgets rape-joke scandal and rehires Guardians of the Galaxy director

The quirky and oddball Guardians series has disgraced director James Gunn back in the director's chair.

The quirky and oddball Guardians series has disgraced director James Gunn back in the director's chair. Photo: Disney

James Gunn has been quietly reinstated by Disney as writer and director of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3, media reports have confirmed.

The decision, which was made a few months ago, is an about-face from Disney’s decision last July to fire Gunn over years-old social media messages that made light of topics including rape, pedophilia, 9/11 and the Holocaust.

Gunn tweeted his gratitude shortly after the news was first reported by Deadline.

Director James Gunn’s old words came back to haunt him – but not for long. Photo: Disney

“I deeply appreciate Disney’s decision and I am excited to continue making films that investigate the ties of love that bind us all,” Gunn wrote on Twitter early Friday afternoon.

“I have been, and continue to be incredibly humbled by your love and support.”

Gunn took responsibility for the now-deleted offensive tweets and explained them in a statement at the time.

Gunn’s offensive tweets were unearthed by people on the right after the Guardians director came to the defence of filmmaker Mark Duplass, who himself had been attacked by people on the left for making positive comments about conservative commentator Ben Shapiro.

Despite an outpouring of public support for Gunn, including Guardians actor Dave Bautista, Disney couldn’t stomach the situation.

“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 Studios Chairman Alan Horn said in a statement at the time.

After he was fired, Gunn wrote, “I understand and accept the business decisions …. All I can do now, beyond offering my sincere and heartfelt regret, is to be the best human being I can be.”

Horn reportedly met with Gunn several times in the aftermath of the firing and was persuaded by how the director handled the situation, according to Deadline.

As the news spread, fans began rejoicing on Twitter and praising Disney’s decision to rehire Gunn, who helmed the first two Guardians films.

-AAP

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.