Just Announced! James Gunn Returning for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

We all love stories of redemption and second chances and today Disney has delivered. Deadline reported that Disney has reinstated James Gunn for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Gunn was initially fired nearly eight months ago from the Marvel franchise after ten-year-old inappropriate tweets from the director caused controversy.  At the time, Disney Studios president Alan Horn said, “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.” However, in an open letter to fans, the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy stood behind Gunn. Dave Bautista spoke the loudest of the cast, and Chris Pratt said on Instagram, “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.” After he was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Gunn was hired by DC Comics to direct the Suicide Squad 2.

Since last July, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn met with Gunn on multiple occasions to discuss the situation. Horn decided to reinstate Gunn based on the way he handled the situation and was further persuaded by Gunn’s public apology.  According to Deadline, Marvel plans to start production of Guardians after Gunn completes his work on Suicide Squad 2.

(All Photos Courtesy of Disney)