Ever since Disney announced that they were firing James Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, fans have been doing everything in their power to get Disney to reconsider. The latest attempt to make their opinion known comes in the form of a giant billboard, located conveniently near Disneyland.
What’s happening:
- According to The Hollywood Reporter, a digital billboard requesting the rehiring of James Gunn has gone up in southern California, paid for by Gunn fans.
- Following his firing from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans around the world have banded together to plea for his return.
- Shortly after the news of his termination was announced, a RehireJamesGunn.com website and a GoFundMe was set up in support of the writer/director.
- These fans have raised $5,000 through the site which they used to purchase space on a billboard in Garden Grove, California.
- The billboard reads: “Save the Galaxy: James Gunn for Vol. 3” and is located just a four miles from Disneyland.
- The billboard will remain up through November 25 and can be seen by California 22 eastbound freeway before the Harbor Blvd. exit.
- It is located at 13541 Newhope St.
What they’re saying:
- Giuseppe Cincinnato, one of the minds behind the billboard: “…not just all online outrage. We really love Gunn as both a creator and the man we’ve seen him mature into. Even if this wasn’t going to cause Disney to see their mistake, we could at least show James Gunn how much support he has in his corner of the galaxy.”
- Giuseppe Cincinnato: “If nothing comes of this, at least we met some amazing people and we did what’s right for James and showed how important he is for us.”
- Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger regarding Gunn’s firing: “The James Gunn decision was brought to me as a unanimous decision of a variety of executives at the studio and I supported it. I haven’t second-guessed their decision.”
Quick recap:
- This past July, Disney executives chose to fire Gunn following the resurfacing of old jokes found to be in poor taste.
- The controversial tweets touched on such topics such as pedophilia and rape. Some were posted on The Daily Caller while others were shared by Twitter users.
- Many of the tweets in question were from between 2008 and 2011.
- Shortly after the decision was announced, the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy also wrote a open letter in response to Gunn’s removal.
- Outraged fans have shown support for the director with daily tweets containing hashtags and pictures of postcards addressed to Disney CEO, Bob Iger asking for Gunn’s reinstatement.