James Gunn has been fired from directing Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 following a string of unearthed social media posts.
A series of tweets were unearthed from before Gunn began as director on Guardians Of The Galaxy, which made light of subjects like paedophilia and rape.
One tweet read: I like when little boys touch me in my silly place.
Another read: The best thing about being raped is when youre done being raped and its like, “whew this feels great, not being raped!”
In a statement, Walt Disney Studios chairman said: The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studios values and we have severed our business relationship with him.
The tweets have claimed to have been dug up and posted by alt-right social media personality and conspiracy theorist Mike Cernovich.
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James Gunn has since issued a statement (via Hollywood Reporter), saying: My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative.
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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 dont reflect the person I am today or have been for some time.
He added: 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 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.
As the tweets began to circulate, James Gunn took to Twitter to defend his past remarks, writing: 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 Ive developed as a person, so has my work and my humor.
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 Ive developed as a person, so has my work and my humor.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 20, 2018
Its not to say Im 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 its shocking and trying to get a reaction are over.
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In the past, I have apologised for humor of mine that hurt people. I truly felt sorry and meant every word of my apologies.
Guardians Of The Galaxy and Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 have both been celebrated for possessing Gunns signature humour, being slightly left-field from Marvels usual offerings.
It remains unclear who will replace Gunn on the third outing, but theyll certainly have some huge shoes to fill.
MORE: Marvel Studios are planning to introduce brand new heroes following Avengers 4, says Kevin Feige
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