Backlash Continues Over 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Director Firing

Disney was acknowledging pressure from right-wing activists when it fired Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn over offensive jokes he made years ago. But since then, many of Gunn's friends have spoken up in his defense, and at least one of them seems to think that Disney is not acting ethically. Read on for details.

Via Deadline.

Bobcat Goldthwait joined the ranks of celebrities to rise in support of James Gunn, with the comedian calling on Disney to remove his voice from an upcoming Disneyland theme park attraction to avoid appearing hypocritical.

Disney fired Gunn as director of Guardians of the Galaxy 3 on Friday after a conservative website surfaced tweets that referenced rape and pedophilia that Disney called “indefensible.”

In an Instagram post today, Goldthwait notes that he’s done his share of shocking and outrageous acts (say, rappelling nude from the top of the Oakland Coliseum during a Nirvana concert in the 1990s).

I love @jamesgunn. He’s a loyal friend, super talented, passionate and kind. I wanted to say something, here it is: Dear @disney, I would hate for you to come off as hypocritical so I’m suggesting that you remove my voice from an attraction that’s coming to your park. It’s called WORLD OF COLOR - VILLAINOUS, and I reprise the role of Pain, a role I played in HERCULES. You see here’s the deal, years ago I made a lot of sarcastically shocking and offensive jokes. Many that I’m embarrassed about now, and I’d hate to make you guys look bad seeing that I’m openly critical of the president and his administration, and you seem to be taking your lead from some of his radical fringe supporters. I think James Woods may have recorded a voice for this new attraction, too. Why not check out some of his whacky past tweets?! They’re a hoot! For the record I do stand with survivors of sexual abuse and I was wondering if you guys are still making money off of your movie POWDER? Asking for a friend. Thanks, Bobcat

A post shared by Bobcat Goldthwait (@bobcatgoldthwait) on Jul 22, 2018 at 1:27pm PDT

“I would hate for you to come off as hypocritical so I’m suggesting you remove my voice from the attraction that’s coming to your park. It’s called WORLD OF COLOR – VILLAINOUS, and I reprise the role of Pain, a role I played in HERCULES,” Goldthwait writes. “You see here’s the deal, years ago I made a lot of sarcastically shocking and offensive jokes. Many that I’m embarrassed about now, and I’d hate to make you guys look bad seeing that I’m openly critical of the president and his administration, and you seem to be taking your lead from some of his radical fringe supporters.”

Goldthwait suggested Disney might also want to glance at James Woods’ past tweets, “They’re a hoot!” Woods voiced Hades in the 1997 animated film Hercules.

Disney did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment, but it was emphatic about its decision to remove Gunn from the film.

“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 said in Friday’s statement.

Get the rest of the story at Deadline.

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