Chris Pratt quotes Bible, cast fights for 'Guardians' director after Disney firing

Andrea Mandell | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Comic-Con stars react to news of James Gunn firing At San Diego Comic-Con, John Cena and director James Wan react to Disney's employment termination of "Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn. Gunn came under scrutiny after controversial older tweets from the director resurfaced. (July 22)

The "Guardians of the Galaxy" cast is speaking out in support of director James Gunn, who was fired on Friday by Disney.

Disney Studios cut ties with Gunn shortly after the director took responsibility for old, offensive tweets that joked about topics including rape and pedophilia.

"The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values, and we have severed our business relationship with him," said Disney chairman Alan Horn in a statement obtained by USA TODAY.

Gunn has apologized profusely for the old tweets, but said in a statement to USA TODAY Friday he understood and accepted the business decisions Disney made. "Even these many years later, I take full responsibility for the way I conducted myself then," he said.

More: Disney fires 'Guardians' director James Gunn after tweets about rape, pedophilia unearthed

But now his cast is pushing back.

Star Chris Pratt, who plays Star-Lord in the blockbuster franchise, quoted Bible scripture James 1:19. “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters. Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger," he tweeted, with a heart and prayer hands emoji.

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters. Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.”



JAMES 1:19

🙏♥️ — chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) July 22, 2018

Zoe Saldana, who plays Gamora, expressed her support for Gunn indirectly.

"It’s been a challenging weekend I’m not gonna lie," she tweeted late Sunday. "I’m pausing myself to take everything in before I speak out of term. I just want everyone to know I love ALL members of my GOTG family. Always will."

It’s been a challenging weekend I’m not gonna lie. I’m pausing myself to take everything in before I speak out of term. I just want everyone to know I love ALL members of my GOTG family. Always will. — Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) July 22, 2018

Dave Bautista, who plays Drax, slammed the decision outright, calling Gunn "one of the most loving,caring,good natured people I have ever met."

"I will have more to say but for right now all I will say is this..@JamesGunn is one of the most loving,caring,good natured people I have ever met," he tweeted. "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."

I will have more to say but for right now all I will say is this..@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 — Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) July 21, 2018

Gunn's friend, actress Selma Blair (who is not in the franchise), tweeted, and then deleted, a petition for his rehiring.

"Marvel: RE-HIRE JAMES GUNN," she wrote, originally linking to a petition on Change.org. "Because if people are punished despite changing, then what does that teach people about owning mistakes and evolving? This man is one of the good ones."

Over 200,000 names had been signed to the petition as of Monday afternoon.