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James Gunn reinstated as Guardians of the Galaxy 3 director

Disney fired Gunn back in July of last year, after a US conservative website discovered tweets made between 2008 and 2012 in which he joked about subjects such as paedophilia and rape

Clarisse Loughrey
Saturday 16 March 2019 12:28 GMT
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Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 - Trailer 3

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James Gunn has been reinstated as the director of Guardians of the Galaxy 3.

Disney fired Gunn back in July of last year, after a US conservative website discovered tweets made between 2008 and 2012 in which he joked about subjects such as paedophilia and rape. The 52-year-old is an outspoken critic of Donald Trump and the current administration.

However, Deadline reports that the studio has now reversed its decision, following a series of meetings between Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn and Gunn in order to discuss the situation, with Horn now convinced of the sincerity of Gunn’s apology.

The director originally released an official statement taking “full responsibility” for his actions: “My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative. I have regretted them for many years since – not just because they were stupid, not at all funny, wildly insensitive, and certainly not provocative like I had hoped, but also because they don’t reflect the person I am today or have been for some time.”

At the time of Gunn’s hiring, Horn released as statement reading: ”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.” 

Since July, Gunn has signed on to direct a Suicide Squad sequel for Warner Bros and DC, with Marvel Studios agreeing to commence production on Guardians of the Galaxy 3 after the director completes Suicide Squad 2

Gunn reacted to the news with a post on Twitter, which read: “I am tremendously grateful to every person out there who has supported me over the past few months. I am always learning and will continue to work at being the best human being I can be. I deeply appreciate Disney’s decision and I am excited to continue making films that investigate the ties of love that bind us all.”

“I have been, and continue to be, incredibly humbled by your love and support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Love to you all.”

There’s no indication, however, of how the film will fit into a post-Avengers: Endgame universe. 

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