Guardians of the Galaxy James gunn fired!!! - Part 1

[elgaz]

Yes there is. In one case, Gunn was making jokes and in RDJ's case he actually emotionally abused people, harmed productions he was a part of, etc. He did real, tangible damage. Gunn made some offensive statements. So you're right, there is a world of difference. I'd argue what RDJ did was worse. But we love redemption stories, right? Except apparently when people say things they don't like. Then they deserve no second chances.

I guess we both have a very different scale of what is deemed morally and ethically reprehensible.

Addiction issues are widely seen as an illness, as something that can be cured if treated if the addict has the right mindset, and as something you can completely move on from. RDJ has proven that a complete U-turn can be done.

I've yet to see a cure for pedophilia. And even if it was curable, I would argue that a person with addiction issues - especially someone like RDJ who was exposed to them by his father at the age of 8 - is much more deserving of forgiveness than those who think that the abuse of thousands and thousands of innocent babies and children is something to find humour in.

And when someone is seemingly obsessed with pedophilia - be it in the past or not - it worries me when so many peers of their support them. But then again, it is Hollywood so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I guess we both have a very different scale of what is deemed morally and ethically reprehensible.

Addiction issues are widely seen as an illness, as something that can be cured if treated if the addict has the right mindset, and as something you can completely move on from. RDJ has proven that a complete U-turn can be done.

I've yet to see a cure for pedophilia. And even if it was curable, I would argue that a person with addiction issues - especially someone like RDJ who was exposed to them by his father at the age of 8 - is much more deserving of forgiveness than those who think that the abuse of thousands and thousands of innocent babies and children is something to find humour in.

And when someone is seemingly obsessed with pedophilia - be it in the past or not - it worries me when so many peers of their support them. But then again, it is Hollywood so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Again, show me the evidence that Gunn is a pedophile. Making jokes in bad taste doesn't mean someone is a pedophile. I agree that RDJ showed you can do a full 180, but my point is your view here is hypocritical. So RDJ can be a scumbag and become a great person, but Gunn is unable to make that change for some reason. You're telling me people cannot realize that jokes are in bad taste and change their thinking? Did you ever find something funny that you later realized wasn't? No one is supporting pedophilia in this debate. What we're supporting is someone who was fired under shady circumstances. Did you ever do something you were not proud of? Say you got a DUI or something. Would you want all your future chances at employment retroactively taken from you because of it? Like your job knew about your DUI when they hired you, but suddenly decided after 8 years to fire you anyway. Would you be okay with that? That is effectively what happened. Do I find what Gunn said funny? No, absolutely not. But that doesn't mean I think firing him for things he said that long ago is right, either.

I believe people can change. Bad people can get wake up calls or misguided views you once held can change. We're supposed to be a second chance society, but this mob mentality is removing due process and second chances from society. I think this societal trend is ugly. I don't want the Twitter mob to be judge, jury, and executioner. But slowly we're moving toward this. I find it disgusting.

 

[Zantera]

Making jokes isn't the same as being a pedophile. You can think his sense of humor is bizarre (which i think most would) but let's not say A = B

 

[samsnee]

Yeah I don't get that either. I know there's always supposed to be some truth in humor but I don't think it's a direct line in this scenario.

 

[Zarex]

Over 100 of the world's most popular comedians appeared in the movie "The Aristocrats". A movie dedicated to the telling and analysis of an incest joke. Do these comedians, including Robin Williams (RIP), Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman and Chris Rock support incest? According to some posters, sure!

 

[random_havoc]

Over 100 of the world's most popular comedians appeared in the movie "The Aristocrats". A movie dedicated to the telling and analysis of an incest joke. Do these comedians, including Robin Williams (RIP), Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman and Chris Rock support incest? According to some posters, sure!

Excellent post

 

[DACrowe]

No.

Yes.

The only thing my post is filled with is contempt for the people who are saying what I said, but unironically. lol

Haha, sorry about that. I wasn't sure, I meant to ask but then I saw two more (one of which I quoted under yours) and made the mistake of lumping you in there. Apologies.

 

[DACrowe]

I've tweeted words to pretty much the same effect, but it's amazing how many still think Gunn should have his job back.

It wasn't just some unfunny tweets. It was a lot (a huge number) of sick tweets. It was dubious content on his website. It was links to known pedophiles. And more.

Do these people just not care? Do they think references to child abuse should somehow be overlooked because a GOTG film - nothing more than something which entertains us for 90 odd mins every 2-3 years - is somehow more important?

Honestly, I lose faith in this world more and more every day.

As far as I've seen it has been many, many tasteless and repugnant jokes he made... years and years ago. Some of them 11 years ago, the most recent I saw was 7 years ago.

My question is do you believe a person should be completely blacklisted for (horrendous) jokes from the better part of a decade ago for the rest of his life, after he's apologized publicly for it twice, including the first time six years ago? Do we not believe people can change, especially when they have shown a history of changing and making the world better, including by making films about reclamation wherein all of his co-workers vouch for his sincerity, and using his same public platform to now fight for reuniting children (who are ACTUALLY being abused in "tender care" camps) with their parents?

This whole "burn him forever" is false sense of righteousness.

 

[DACrowe]

The cast releasing a statement was just a bad idea. Maybe they're trying to force Disney in a corner, but there's no possible positive outcome for all parties involved.

Scenario 1: Disney does not re-hire Gunn, another director comes on board. The cast stays on based on their contracts, but the enthusiasm among the cast will be noticeably different. When it comes time to promote, questions will all be around working for a new director, etc.

Scenario 2: Disney re-hires Gunn. This now sets a bad precedent for Disney by basically saying if a cast subtly threatens the studio, they have odds of winning. Will make Disney/Marvel re-think their hiring process.

Scenario 3: Disney does not re-hire Gunn. Some or all of the cast are able to get out of the next movie. This is the worst case scenario for everyone, the studio, the cast, the fans.

There were fourteen million six hundred and five scenarios, and they went with the one that didn't result in a win.

Yeah, doing the right thing sucks, because it might mean they'll get some awkward questions on the red carpet or worse, fans may not get another movie with the whole cast back. They should just shut their mouths and go along to get along.

 

[I Am The Knight]

End this madness! Rehire James Gunn!

This panicky firing makes no sense seeing as how Disney had no problem hiring after he made the tweets. Disney needs to realize how silly they look.

 

[Zarex]

Scenario 2: Disney re-hires Gunn. This now sets a bad precedent for Disney by basically saying if a cast subtly threatens the studio, they have odds of winning. Will make Disney/Marvel re-think their hiring process..

Nine actors (including a couple of certified Hollywood A-Listers) from a critically and financially successful film series have united to (not so) gently threaten the world's most powerful film studio. This is an EXTREMELY unique situation that we may never see again, so it is hardly setting a precedent. And Disney won't have to examine their hiring process. But the Mouse definitely needs to re-think its firing process.

 

[NotNickFury]

Have they really even 'gently' threatened Disney, though? All they've said is that they stand behind Gunn, but don't condone his words. Though it's more wishful thinking on the letter's part that they hope character assassinations and mob mentality in the court of public opinion or be eased up on in the future.

 

[TheVileOne]

There was no gentle threat or even hinting they might walk. I'm not saying the actors would never do that, but that letter doesn't come off as some proverbial line in the sand.

 

[Matt Mortem]

It was just a strong show of support. No threats, and I don't think the cast has a leg to stand on. They're all probably under contract. They can, however, wage war in the court of public opinion on Gunn's behalf. I hope there's a large enough swell that Disney course corrects.

 

[AlluAllu]

Yeah, I didn't read any threats to leave between the lines. They just made the world know that they will be somewhat unhappy with Gunnless Vol 3. Have fun marketing that.

 

[DACrowe]

Yeah, I don't think they threatened in the slightest to leave. I still think Bautista might go to court over doing it without Gunn, but the others will all be there. They are, however, trying to use their publicity to force Disney's hand to rehire him. That is the read-between-the-lines aspect. It's not a threat; it's a suggestion, but one they're trying to court fans in siding with them on.

I cannot imagine Disney is thrilled with this.

 

[NotNickFury]

Yeah, I didn't read any threats to leave between the lines. They just made the world know that they will be somewhat unhappy with Gunnless Vol 3. Have fun marketing that.

Okay, that has to be the title of 3 if Gunn doesn't return because that is brilliant. Guardians of the Gunless Galaxy Vol 3.

 

[Zarex]

I may be reading into it, but the language of the release is quite strong. And while the folks who signed aren't likely to walk, they can certainly make Iger, Horn and Feige uncomfortable by not fully embracing Gunn's replacement and only meeting the minimum publicity requirements. I would certainly take a cast rallying around the director who was foolishly fired by the the studio as a threat.

 

[NotNickFury]

Saying they'll walk or issuing an ultimatum is a threat. Standing by a director is just support. I doubt Alan Horn is thinking he felt foolish when he opted to fire Gunn, anyway, since it was his call.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I also do not read a threat in the statement.

 

[TheVileOne]

No one on X-Men 3 went to bat for Singer after he was unprofessionally fired from the lot by Fox. Almost the entire main cast returned for it.

 

[Flash525]

Yeah I don't get that either. I know there's always supposed to be some truth in humor but I don't think it's a direct line in this scenario.

The some truth you refer to is probably previous experience (of Gunn) who I believe was a victim of sexual abuse when he was a child? Haven't I read that somewhere? If it's true, and if he (as a victim) is able to joke about it, the rest of the world need to lighten the F up.

 

[NotNickFury]

X-3? Singer wasn't fired from The Last Stand last I checked- he left it of his own volition to go do Superman Returns.

 

[SomeOldGuy]

FWIW...

Skyler Shuler
@Skylerhxc
Hearing Disney will sit down with James Gunn. Reinstatement is possible. The Disney Company is taking its time with this situation.

https://***********/skylerhxc/status/1024316613548548096?s=21

 

[Kuwolski]

I'm so happy to read this. Feige is earning his paycheck behind the scenes.

Bring him home Kev