James Gunn Shuts Down Criticism Over Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Race-Swapping

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director James Gunn clearly believes it’s ridiculous for anyone to complain about the casting of characters they have yet to even meet in the upcoming film. One person who’s joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the sequel is Chukwudi Iwuji in the role of the High Evolutionary. Gunn is very excited for fans to see Iwuji’s performance in the film, as he shared an image of the actor in character as the High Evolutionary in the third and final Guardians movie, noting to his Instagram followers that he “can’t wait for you all to meet this guy.”

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Many fans are stoked to see Iwuji in the role, but the casting has not gone without some early criticism. One person commented on Gunn’s Instagram post to criticize the casting, unhappy that a Black actor was playing the fictional character. Clearly getting sad about it, the individual went on to rant about how this is a “woke” casting choice and not based on Iwuji’s abilities as a performer.

The comment reads, “Damnit… another white guy they made into a black guy. Why couldn’t they just leave him white or i dont know…pick a different minority? How about Asian or gasp! A Latino?(how many Latinos and Asians in MCU? Like total of 5??) Or make him an Indian or something… because they don’t and won’t, that makes them ‘woke.’ Next time, a major character (hero/villain)will be a trans or homosexual or non-binary (when in comics they are not). Sad and pathetic. They’re picking based on race and whats PC and not on acting and whats established.”

Gunn isn’t having it. The filmmaker personally responded to the criticism with a comment of his own. He denies that casting Iwuji had anything whatsoever to do with race, noting emphatically that he doesn’t “give a sh*t” about the actor’s ethnicity. Gunn also points out that the High Evolutionary is most often depicted as purple in the comic books, making complaints about his ethnicity in the film all the more silly.

“I chose the best actor, period, and the best person for the role,” Gunn wrote. “I don’t give a sh*t what ethnicity Chukwudi Iwuji is, so stop with your racist presumptions on WHY he was chosen. (And, by the way, he’s playing a guy who’s almost always purple in the color.)”

It’s not the first time Gunn has defended casting Iwuji. In December, he was similarly confronted with a now-deleted tweet questioning why the Black actor was hired. Gunn similarly said how all the credit goes to the acclaimed actor’s talent and nothing else.

“Because Chuk is the best actor I’ve ever worked with, that’s why. Has zero to do with race,” he said.

Related: Suicide Squad Director Suggests a Positive Future for the Ayer Cut After James Gunn Talks

James Gunn Wants to Go Out with a Bang at Marvel

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Gunn has put a lot of preparation into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as it’s likely going to be his final Marvel movie, and chances are, he wants his trilogy to conclude in a satisfying way. The filmmaker has previously said how he not only sees this as the last Guardians movie, but probably his final film to be developed for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His subsequent hiring as a co-head of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran seems to have sealed that deal, as Gunn will be extremely busy for the next decade with his involvement in the DCU.

“It’s big; it’s so, so big and dark, and different from what people might be expecting it to be,” Gunn has said of the film, via Deadline. “I just want to be true to the characters, the story and give people the wrap-up that they deserve for the story. That’s always a little bit scary; I’m doing my best.”

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be released in movie theaters on May 5, 2023.

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