When controversy hits an actor or director, unity of response is a rare thing. Usually, some co-stars will show support, others condemn the culprit on some not say anything so they don’t have to be seen taking a side. So what the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy did is unique and some might say even brave.
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Sean Gunn, Pom Klementieff, Michael Rooker, and Karen Gillan released the following statement in support of their fired friend and director James Gunn:
I’m impressed but the unity on display here. Also, by the fact that they took 10 days to construct a measured response that does not excuse Gunn’s remarks but lets people know of the James Gunn they have come to know and respect.
However, this being the world as it stands in 2018, the first three “Most Relevant” comments on Chris Pratt’s Facebook page when his shared this statement as I write this are 1)someone calling him a hypocrite for supporting Gunn and not Roseanne, 2) telling him they lost respect for him for supporting Gunn, and 3) wondering why anyone would support someone who said something so vile. Message not received, I guess.
It will be interesting to see if this leads to Disney’s reinstating Gunn for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 or what the cast will do in case they don’t. That genteel statement above doesn’t make it seem that they all will walk if Gunn doesn’t come back. And I’m sure some cast members might not have the ability or willingness to front the costly legal battle that action would bring about. But it does make the statement to Disney that the entire main cast of one of their most successful franchises are not happy with their actions. One has to imagine some kind of damage control needs to take place.
More on this as it develops.
