Wondering why James Gunn was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3? As controversy erupted over resurfaced tweets containing offensive jokes, Marvel made a swift decision that nearly ended James Gunn’s career in blockbuster filmmaking.
Here’s what led to his dismissal, the fallout, and how he returned with Superman.
Why Marvel fired James Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Marvel fired James Gunn as director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in July 2018 after a series of old tweets resurfaced containing offensive jokes about rape, pedophilia, and other sensitive subjects.
Disney issued a statement saying, “The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values,” according to Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn (via Deadline).
Among the tweets highlighted were: “I like when little boys touch me in my silly place,” and “The best thing about being raped is when you’re done being raped and it’s like ‘whew this feels great, not being raped!’”
Other tweets included references to 9/11, AIDS, and the Holocaust.
Conservative media figures such as Mike Cernovich and Jack Posobiec amplified the posts after Gunn mocked political commentator Ben Shapiro, reportedly in defense of Mark Duplass. Gunn had made the jokes years before joining Marvel.
Gunn publicly acknowledged the controversy and apologized, tweeting, “I used to make a lot of offensive jokes. I don’t anymore.” He added, “I feel like a more full human being and creator today.” The firing came at a time of heightened accountability in Hollywood following the rise of the #MeToo movement.
In March 2019, after public support from the Guardians cast, Disney rehired Gunn. By that time, Warner Bros. had already recruited him for The Suicide Squad, released in 2021. Gunn has since transitioned to DC Studios’ leadership and wrote and directed the upcoming film Superman.
James Gunn’s new project, Superman, starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, premiered at the TCL Chinese Theater on July 7, 2025, ahead of its U.S. release on July 11.
