Guardians of the Galaxy Cast Calls for Gunn to Be Reinstated

The Guardians of the Galaxy have united to try to save director James Gunn's job. Nine of the Marvel franchise's main cast members, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Vin Diesel, voice of Groot, signed an open letter saying they were stunned by his abrupt firing 10 days ago and calling for him to reinstated as director of the third instalment, which was expected to come out in 2020, the Guardian reports. Disney swiftly cut its ties with Gunn after decade-old tweets surfaced in which he joked about rape and pedophilia. "I like it when little boys touch me in my silly place," he said in one of the tweets, which were publicized by conservative websites.

Pratt posted the letter on Instagram, adding that while he doesn't support the inappropriate jokes, Gunn is a "good man." In the letter, cast members spoke of the theme of redemption and noted that "there is little due process in the court of public opinion," the AP reports. "James is likely not the last good person to be put on trial," the cast members wrote. "Given the growing political divide in this country, it's safe to say instances like this will continue, although we hope Americans from across the political spectrum can ease up on the character assassination and stop weaponizing mob mentality." (Bobcat Goldthwait has spoken out in support of Gunn, suggesting Disney stop using his voice.)