Those looking forward to the third installment in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise will have to wait a little longer.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 production has been put on hold. The film was supposed to start pre-production in the fall; however, the outlet reports crew members preparing for pre-production have been dismissed and are free to look for new work.
The Marvel film was supposed to be directed by James Gunn, who directed the first two installments, but Disney made the decision to fire him after insensitive tweets the writer/director posted a decade ago resurfaced that contained subject matter including rape, racism and pedophilia.
Though the movie's cast wrote an open letter urging Disney to give Gunn a second chance, the studio confirmed it's standing by its decision last week and is currently in search of a new director.
Upon his removal, Gunn issued an apology via Twitter.
“Many people who have followed my career know when I started, I viewed myself as a provocateur, making movies and telling jokes that were outrageous and taboo," he wrote. "As I have discussed publicly many times, as I’ve developed as a person, so has my work and my humor.”
"It’s not to say I’m better, but I am very, very different than I was a few years ago; today I try to root my work in love and connection and less in anger," he added. "My days saying something just because it’s shocking and trying to get a reaction are over."
"Anyway, that’s the completely honest truth: I used to make a lot of offensive jokes. I don’t anymore. I don’t blame my past self for this, but I like myself more and feel like a more full human being and creator today. Love you to you all," he concluded.
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