The emotional “hidden” wink between Dave Bautista and James Gunn in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3’, taunting Disney: “Everyone deserves a second chance”

James Gunn and Dave Bautista have said goodbye to Marvel’s UCM with ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’. The director is leaving for DC to be the leader of its restructuring in a format of interconnected phases, like Marvel, and the actor has stated on several occasions that he does not want to continue his role as Drax in the superhero movie franchise.

The end of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3’ and the post-credits scenes of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3’ can give us some clue about the future of the Guardians in the calendar of upcoming Marvel releases, but what seems clear is that neither Gunn nor Bautista will be present at it. Neither did Zoe Saldaña, who has declared that she prefers another actress to take over from Gamora.and rumors about the absence of Chris Pratt (Star Lord) in the next installments have been constant lately, although his return is expected by the end of Phase 6 with ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’.

But how and why does Marvel let one of its best directors go? What happened between Gunn and Disney, and what does Dave Bautista have to do with it?

When Disney/Marvel fired James Gunn, the director of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

The news broke in July 2018. James Gunn was fired from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ for old jokes on Twitter, as we discussed at the time.

The ultra-right American media brought to light old tweets of the director, from between 2008 and 2009, in which he made distasteful jokes on topics such as pedophilia, 9/11 and rape. Gunn, who was preparing ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ and that he already had the script ready, He was sacked by Disney.

Alan Horn, then president of Walt Disney Studios, justified the decision thus: “The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter are indefensible and inconsistent with the values ​​of our studio, and we have severed our business relationship with it,” he commented in a statement published by The Hollywood Reporter.

Gunn apologized in a series of comments, but it was too late. “Many people who have followed my career know that when I started, I saw myself as a provocateur,” he has commented. “He made movies and told jokes that were outrageous and taboo. As I have publicly discussed many times, as I have developed as a person, so has my work and my humor. It is not to say that I am better, but I am very, very different from how I was a few years ago.. Now I try to root my work in love and connection and less in anger. My days saying something just because it’s shocking and trying to get a reaction are over. In the past, I have apologized to those who have been hurt by my humor. I was really sorry and every word of my apology was sincere..”

DC fished in troubled waters and, despite Gunn’s cancellation, hired the director to relaunch ‘The Suicide Squad’ with a style that fit perfectly with that of the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ director. Popular pressure, the unconditional support of Marvel actors and the good acceptance of Gunn’s signing by DC made Disney backed down and counted on him again to finish his cosmic trilogy.

The complicity between Dave Bautista and James Gunn

The clearest when it came to showing his public support for the director was Dave Bautista. The ex-wrestler positioned himself from the beginning, declaring a single day after his dismissal his rejection on social networks:

“I’ll have more to say, but for now all I’ll say is this… @JamesGunn is one of the most loving, caring, affable people I’ve ever met. He’s gentle and kind and cares deeply about people and animals. He has made mistakes. We all have. I do not agree with what is happening to him.”

The actor even put his career at risk by threatening Disney that he was ready to “ask them to release me from my contract, to eliminate me or to reformulate me” if Marvel chose not to use, at least the script that Gunn had already completed. “‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ without James Gunn… That’s not what I signed into the contract“.

Gunn even booked a role for Bautista in ‘The Suicide Squad’, the Peacemaker, a role that was eventually played by John Cena because Bautista was shooting ‘Army of the Dead’ with Zack Snyder for Netflix.

Gunn eventually returned to Disney/Marvel and took back the reins of his franchise., although the damage was already done and DC had already hired James Gunn for their new movies and series, and Bautista was disenchanted with his role and his desire has been to fulfill his contract and get out. But the artistic couple did not want to miss the opportunity to say goodbye by sending a little message...

The “hidden” message against Disney in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3’

— Spoilers for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ —

many expected the death of Drax (Baptist) as a farewell to the character. Perhaps a heroic death, something that would make him a legend in the galaxy, and thus be able to reunite with his deceased family. But not, Drax is still alive, and happy.. She has become the father figure to a new community of boys and girls created by the villainous High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). As Nebula (Karen Gillan) acknowledges, Drax is not a Destroyer, but a Father.

But, before this ending of “they were happy and ate partridges”, during the rescue of the children, there is a curious dialogue between Drax and Adam Warlock (Will Poulter). Warlock has attempted to kill the Guardians and kidnap Rocket, seriously injuring both him and Drax himself, who was unable to withstand the blows in combat and became semi-conscious. However, Drax offers Warlock his help in escaping. next to them the ship of the High Evolutionary.

Warlock, surprised, asks him why he helps him, if he tried to kill them just a few moments ago. “Everyone deserves a second chance“, answers Dave Bautista through Drax. And, with all the context you just read… What do you think it really means?