James Gunn shut down a troll who attempted to criticize the filmmaker’s casting choices in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
On Monday, Gunn took to Instagram to share a photo of Chukwudi Iwuji, who plays the film’s villain, High Evolutionary. “Can’t wait for you all to meet this guy,” Gunn wrote, alongside the image of Iwuji, who’s in costume.
One follower found it an opportune moment to comment on Iwuji playing the role. “Damnit…another white guy they made into a black guy,” the person wrote. “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.’”
The commenter added, “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 what’s PC and not on acting and what’s established.”
Gunn slammed the user in his response: “I chose the best actor, period, and the best person for the role. I don’t give a shit 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.)”
Vol. 3 is the last chapter in the Guardians of the Galaxy story and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, and Will Poulter. The movie is slated for a May 5 arrival.
The project is also Gunn’s last film with Marvel. He’s now moving on to DC Studios where he will serve as Co-Chairmen and CEO alongside Peter Safran.
