Hollywood
Disney Studios severed business ties with Hollywood director James Gunn.
Updated : Jul 21, 2018, 07:37 AM IST
Disney Studios severed business ties with Hollywood director James Gunn.
As a result, Gunn is exiting the upcoming film 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' as the director.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the move comes after the filmmaker tweeted jokes on controversial topics like paedophilia and rape resurfaced.
"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," Hollywood reporter quoted Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn as saying in a statement.
Gunn in response tweeted that, "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."
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
The tweets came to the fore after the conservative website 'The Daily Caller' did some digging on the director's previous social media posts.
Gunn further said that he regretted some of his tweets, adding that those tweets don't reflect the person he is today.
"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," he said.
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
Gunn has been an outspoken critic of United States President Donald Trump.
Gunn was the scriptwriter for Guardians 3. The filming for this movie was supposed to start in Atlanta in autumn, with an expected 2020 release date.
Till now, the official release date hasn't been announced.