Disney may be done with James Gunn, but fans, family, and friends are not. They are rallying around the former Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director. They are now petitioning Disney to reverse their previous decision and rehire the filmmaker.
A Change.org petition has been started and already has over 90,000 signatures. Fans make petitions like these all the time, but what’s different about this situation is that celebrities and others who work in the industry are supporting it.
Marvel: RE-HIRE JAMES GUNN – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/JeVbFZkQLL via @Change. Because if people are punished despite changing, then what does that teach people about owning mistakes and evolving? This man is one of the good ones.
— Selma Blair (@SelmaBlair) July 22, 2018
Thank you @SelmaBlair https://t.co/4YDa2s6IYQ
— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) July 22, 2018
What will you do when the #cybernazis attack you? Who will stand by you? Who will cowardly distance themselves from you? Who will punish you for horrible JOKES in the past instead of defending you for INSPIRING millions? MILLIONS!!! #Redemption #injustice @JamesGunn
— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) July 22, 2018
Marvel: RE-HIRE JAMES GUNN – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/i4qhVPwHu5 via @Change
— Joe Carnahan (@carnojoe) July 21, 2018
Gunn was fired on Friday after offensive tweets from several years ago resurfaced Friday night. Gunn has apologized for the tweets, which contained jokes about rape and pedophilia, and accepted Disney’s decision.
Many, however, believe Disney reacted too harshly and fell prey to a targeted attempt by the disingenuous alt-right to discredit Gunn because the director has been very critical of President Trump on social media.
As Dave Bautista noted, this issue is far more complex than the fate of one movie and Disney’s actions, while understandable, could also set a frightening precedent.
