‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ Cast Member Threatens To Leave Over James Gunn Drama…

As you’ve probably heard, “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn has been booted from the next film over old, controversial tweets. They were basically a series of distasteful jokes about pedophilia and rape.

He has apologized profusely.

“My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative,” he said in his statement. “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.”

However, they still decided to boot him from the film’s next installment.

“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 stated.

Dave Bautista, who plays Drax in the film, has been supportive of him since the very beginning.

I will have more to say but for right now all I will say is this..@JamesGunn is one of the most loving,caring,good natured people I have ever met. He’s gentle and kind and cares deeply for people and animals. He’s made mistakes. We all have. Im NOT ok with what’s happening to him

— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) July 21, 2018

Eventually, the majority of the main cast members released a joint statement. They didn’t condone his old “jokes,” but they spoke about the man they KNOW and WORK with. I really liked what they had to say about there being “little due process in the court of public opinion.” Ain’t that the truth! I loved that other part too– “stop weaponizing mob mentality.” That’s something else, coming from people immersed in Hollywood.

Although I don’t support James Gunn’s inappropriate jokes from years ago, he is a good man. I’d personally love to see him reinstated as director of Volume 3. If you please, read the following statement- signed by our entire cast.

A post shared by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Jul 30, 2018 at 9:41am PDT

Nothing has changed since then, except now Bautista is threatening to leave the film if they don’t use Gunn’s script.

I will do what Im legally obligated to do but @Guardians without @JamesGunn is not what I signed up for. GOTG w/o @JamesGunn just isn’t GOTG. Its also pretty nauseating to work for someone who’d empower a smear campaign by fascists #cybernazis . That’s just how I feel https://t.co/Ym4FwruVDu

— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) August 5, 2018

Afterward he told Shortlist, “Where I’m at right now is that if [Marvel] don’t use [Gunn’s] script, then I’m going to ask them to release me from my contract, cut me out or recast me. I’d be doing James a disservice if I didn’t.”

“Nobody’s defending his tweets, but this was a smear campaign on a good man,” Bautista continued. “I spoke to Chris Pratt the day after it happened and he’s a bit religious so he wanted time to pray and figure it out, but I was more like: f**k this. This is bullsh*t. James is one of the kindest, most decent people I’ve met.”

Still no word if they’re going to reinstate Gunn, but I think it’s completely wild that they would consider tossing his script altogether. Doesn’t that seem like a bit much?

PLEASE don’t ruin Guardians 3, everyone. PLEASE.