Dave Bautista confirms he will return for Guardians 3 despite Gunn’s firing

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

After Disney fired James Gunn for jokes he made on Twitter some years ago actor Dave Bautista quickly threw his support behind his GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY director. Along with him tweeting his own words of support for Gunn he also signed a joint statement from the cast asking Disney to reconsider their movie. However, despite his own feelings on the matter, Bautista has confirmed he will indeed be returning for GOTG VOL. 3, even though he says the idea of working for Disney is now “nauseating.”

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“I will do what Im legally obligated to do but @Guardians without @JamesGunn is not what I signed up for. GOTG w/o @JamesGunn just isn’t GOTG,” Bautista said on Twitter when responding to a fan question regarding his return. “Its also pretty nauseating to work for someone who’d empower a smear campaign by fascists #cybernazis. That’s just how I feel.”

Bautista was one of the first cast members to come out in support of Gunn after he was axed by Disney, saying, “@JamesGunn is one of the most loving,caring,good natured people I have ever met. He’s gentle and kind and cares deeply for people and animals. He’s made mistakes. We all have. Im NOT ok with what’s happening to him.” 

Bautista’s tweet also comes on the heels of GOTG VOL. 2 actor Kurt Russell coming out in support of Gunn. He opened up to Variety on the matter, talking about how we have as a society have gotten a bit “too sensitive.”

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It’s sad. But it’s a part of our fabric now, and I get it. But I do think we’re getting a little too sensitive on maybe some of the wrong people. You have to realize that when you are in that world as a comedian, a writer, whatever you’re always stretching the boundaries and trying to find something which lead him to something that the world loves, which is Guardians of the Galaxy. He has a wonderful heart and a wonderful mind. I hope he is forgiven.

When the cast statement came out many wondered if it would be enough to sway Disney to reinstate Gunn as director of the third outing. However, sources had told Variety that was unlikely given the company’s firm stance on the matter. As well, the cast themselves have contracts with the studio (as Bautista pointed out) that require them to appear in the new movie, or risk liegal action. This is an unfortunate circumstance that doesn’t give the cast much leverage in the process, a shame given that if anyone could’ve swayed Disney, it’s them.