Disney has rehired director James Gunn for its third installment of its successful "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie franchise, Variety reported.

What's the story?

Gunn, who directed the first two films based on Marvel Comics' superhero team of the same name, was fired last summer after offensive tweets about child sex abuse resurfaced.

"I am tremendously grateful to every person out there who has supported me over the past few months," Gunn tweeted Friday for the first time since July. "I am always learning and will continue to work at being the best human being I can be. I deeply appreciate Disney's decision and I am excited to continue making films that investigate the ties of love that bind us all. I have been, and continue to be incredibly humbled by your love and support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Love to you all."

Alan Horn, the head of Disney Studios, reportedly made the decision to bring Gunn back after a series of meetings with the 52-year-old director. He's also slated to write the screenplay for the film.



After Gunn was fired, Disney put the film on hold but it never hired a replacement for him.

Some of the film's stars, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, and Dave Bautista, showed their support for Gunn by signing an open letter asking Disney to rehire Gunn, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

What else?

In 2012, Gunn apologized for his remarks on Twitter, but after his remarks resurfaced and he was dropped by Disney, he offered another plea for forgiveness.

"My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative," he wrote last July. "I have regretted them for many years since — not just because they were stupid, not at all funny, wildly insensitive, and certainly not provocative like I had hoped, but also because they don't reflect the person I am today or have been for some time."

