James Gunn has been reinstated as the writer-director of Guardians of the Galaxy 3.
The 51-year-old, who helmed the first and second GOTG films, was fired by Disney last year – after some offensive tweets he posted in the past resurfaced online.
In the tweets, which were reportedly posted almost a decade ago, the filmmaker appeared to make light of 9/11, rape and paedophilia.
When James’ comments came to light last year, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn branded his behaviour as “indefensible”, and severed all ties with him.
However, Deadline have since reported that James has been rehired, following a series of meetings and negotiations.
The news comes after a number of actors who starred in the first two films called for James’ return in an open letter – including Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, and Dave Bautista.
In his apology last year, the director said, “My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative.”
“I have regretted them for many years since – not just because they were stupid, not at all funny, wildly insensitive, and certainly not provocative like I had hoped, but also because they don’t reflect the person I am today or have been for some time.”
