Chris Pratt and all the other main cast members of Guardians of the Galaxy have written an open letter in support of film director James Gunn who was fired by Disney.
Gunn, who wrote and directed the first two movies in the franchise, was preparing to make Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 when he was sacked two weeks ago after a series of highly offence tweets he wrote a decade ago were unearthed.
The movie is scheduled to be released in 2020. Disney have yet to announce a replacement, but the cast members are now obviously hoping that their rallying call can help to get the brains behind the franchise reinstated.
Chris Pratt posted the open letter on his Instagram page, which you can read below in full. He also offered a personal comment, saying: "Although I don't support James Gunn's inappropriate jokes from years ago, he is a good man. I'd personally love to see him reinstated as director of Volume 3. If you please, read the following statement- signed by our entire cast."
The open letter states: "We fully support James Gunn. We were all shocked by his abrupt firing last week and have intentionally waited these 10 days to respond in order to think, pray, listen and discuss.
"In that time, we've been encouraged by the outpouring of support from fans and members of the media who wish to see James reinstated as director of Volume 3 as well as discouraged by those so easily duped into believing the many outlandish conspiracy theories surrounding him.
"Being in the Guardians Of The Galaxy movies has been a great honour in each of our lives. We cannot let this moment pass without expressing our love, support, and gratitude for James.
"We are not here to defend his jokes of many years ago but rather to share our experience having spend many years together on set making Guardians Of The Galaxy 1 and 2.
"The character he has shown in the wake of his firing is consistent with the man he was every day on set, and his apology, now and from years ago when first addressing these remarks, we believe is from the heart, a heart we all know, trust, and love.
"In casting each of us to help him tell the story of misfits who find redemption, he changed our lives forever. We believe the theme of redemption has never been more relevant than now.
"Each of us looks forward to working with our friend James again in the future. His story isn't over - not by a long shot. There is little due process in the court of public opinion. James is likely not the last good person to be put on trial.
"Given the growing political divide in this country, it's safe to say instances like this will continue, although we hope Americans from across the political spectrum can ease up on the character assassinations and stop weaponizing mob mentality.
"It is our hope that what has transpired can serve as an example for all of us to realise the enormous responsibility we have to ourselves and to each other regarding the use of our written words when we etch them in digital stone; that we as a society may learn from this experience and in the future we will think twice before we decide what we want to express; and in so learning perhaps can harness this capability to help and heal instead of hurting each other."

Although I don’t support James Gunn’s inappropriate jokes from years ago, he is a good man. I’d personally love to see him reinstated as director of Volume 3. If you please, read the following statement- signed by our entire cast.

A post shared by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Jul 30, 2018 at 9:41am PDT