Kurt Russell Is the Latest Guardians of the Galaxy Star to Support Fired Director James Gunn

Kurt Russell followed in the footsteps of other Guardians of the Galaxy actors by publicly expressing his support for James Gunn in the wake of the director’s firing.

Russell, who played the part of Ego the Living Planet—Star-Lord’s villainous father—in the second Guardians film, spoke about the Gunn matter in an interview with Variety. Gunn was fired by Disney the same day that a campaign launched by the alt-right troll Mike Cernovich resurfaced years-old, offensive jokes Gunn had made on Twitter, about rape and pedophilia.

Since Gunn’s firing, the debate about whether the move was correct and if he could potentially be rehired to Guardians Vol. 3 has intensified. Cast members are vocally supporting the director now on social media, and an open letter sent to Disney on July 30th, and signed by the entire main cast, expressed support for Gunn and asked for his reinstatement. There has been little indication that Disney is inclined to rehire the director, with Variety writing that their sources think “that scenario is highly unlikely.”

It’s clear from Kurt Russell’s statements that he’s a fan of Gunn’s, and while he acknowledges that we’re at a particularly fraught cultural moment in time, he also suggests that some of the ire and backlash is misdirected here. “It’s sad. But it’s a part of our fabric now, and I get it,” Russell told Variety. “But I do think we’re getting a little too sensitive on maybe some of the wrong people.”

Russell went on to speak glowingly of Gunn, saying,

“You have to realize that when you are in that world as a comedian, a writer, whatever, you’re always stretching the boundaries and trying to find something which lead him to something that the world loves, which is Guardians of the Galaxy. He has a wonderful heart and a wonderful mind. I hope he is forgiven.”

While the future of who will guide the Guardians franchise is unknown, any new director could be facing a disgruntled cast. Over the weekend, actor Dave Bautista (Drax) didn’t mince any words about the situation, saying on Twitter that he will continue to do “what I am legally obligated to do” regarding his Marvel/Disney contract, but that Guardians without Gunn “isn’t what I signed up for.”

Bautista also expressed frustration with Disney, declaring that he found it “pretty nauseating to work for someone who’d empower a smear campaign by fascists #cybernazis.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if Guardians Vol. 3 is put on ice for a long while. From a narrative perspective, we don’t even know which of the Guardians survive the events of Avengers 4, which isn’t due out until April 2019, so the franchise has some breathing room while everyone works to figure out what will happen next.

(via Screenrant, image: Marvel Studios)

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Kaila Hale-Stern

Kaila Hale-Stern (she/her) is a content director, editor, and writer who has been working in digital media for more than fifteen years. She started at TMS in 2016. She loves to write about TV—especially science fiction, fantasy, and mystery shows—and movies, with an emphasis on Marvel. Talk to her about fandom, queer representation, and Captain Kirk. Kaila has written for io9, Gizmodo, New York Magazine, The Awl, Wired, Cosmopolitan, and once published a Harlequin novel you'll never find.

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