MCU: 150k People Sign Petition To Get James Gunn UNFIRED
Fans want to Disney to know they made a mistake.
The news that James Gunn had been removed from his directing gig on Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3 hasn't gone down well with lots of fans. It also hasn't gone down well with at least one of his stars, as Dave Bautista took a stand against the decision - while Gunn's brother Sean (who plays Kraglin and on-set Rocket Raccoon) defended his brother's conduct and personal growth.
Considering what Disney has tolerated in some of their stars and directors over the years, it wasn't always certain that Gunn would be fired, but the manner of his dismissal made it a little more likely. Mike Cernovich basically sicced his followers on Gunn (despite literally being in a glass house throwing stones in all directions) and Gunn's anti-Trump bent made him an easy target for outrage. So Disney had to be seen to be making a move on his behaviour.
But now they're facing something of a backlash from fans who want Gunn to be reinstated.
Linked: James Gunn FIRED From Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3!
So far, one petition on Change.org has gathered more than 150,000 signatures, at least proving that fans would be willing to see him continue as a Disney employee even despite his ill-conceived provocative jokes. As the petition itself states, it's unlikely to have an impact, but it might at least give Disney something to think about.