Petition Asking Disney to Rehire James Gunn Reaches 175,000+ Supporters

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Since Disney made the decision to release James Gunn as the Director of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3, many supporters and actors have publicized their thoughts on the matter including sharing an online petition to bring Gunn back.

At the time of this story’s publishing, the petition has gathered 175,000+ signatures. Fellow Director Joe Carnahan tweeted out a link to the petition to show his support.

Gunn issued a statement after he was fired, apologizing for the old tweets and jokes.

“My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative,” he said. “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. Regardless of how much time has passed, I understand and accept the business decisions taken today. Even these many years later, I take full responsibility for the way I conducted myself then. All I can do now, beyond offering my sincere and heartfelt regret, is to be the best human being I can be: accepting, understanding, committed to equality, and far more thoughtful about my public statements and my obligations to our public discourse. To everyone inside my industry and beyond, I again offer my deepest apologies. Love to all.”

Some of Gunn’s supporters have since brought up reminders that he apologized for the inappropriate remarks from over a decade ago back in 2012.

Dave Bautista, the actor who plays Drax in the Guardian’s of the Galaxy films had this to say on his Twitter account:

Comedians like Patton Oswalt and Rufus Hound have also expressed their own frustrations and concerns over Gunn’s firing.

News Sources: EW, Polygon

Image Source: Wiki, Marvel