While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been on a massively successful run throughout all of Phase Three, the shared universe recently got its own taste of scandal. During the events of San Diego Comic-Con, insensitive and controversial tweets by Guardians of the Galaxy writer/director James Gunn resurfaced. In response to these incendiary posts, Disney and Marvel Studios promptly parted ways with Gunn, leaving the future of the planned Guardians threequel a complete mystery. Plenty of Marvel figures have shared their thoughts on Gunn's departure, and now the great Glenn Close has weighed in. Close played Nova Prime in the first Guardians movie, and was recently asked what she thought about Disney's decision, where she spoke about the toxic nature of social media.
I think it would help if people on social media could envision themselves actually standing across, or sitting across from the people they're talking about. They might change what they put on social media.
Rather than taking one side or another, Glenn Close has wisely positioned herself as Switzerland in the great Gunn debate. Instead of expressly addressing the controversy that cost James Gunn his job, Glenn Close gave a statement that applies to both movie professionals and trolls on the internet: if you wouldn't say it IRL, you probably shouldn't use social media as a shield for your comments.
Glenn Close's comments to TMZ show help illustrate what an ugly place the internet can be, especially when it comes to massive franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy or Star Wars. While fan passion is what helps make these properties so much money, the giant audience includes plenty of angry and toxic fans. Folks feel free to post whatever they want on the internet, and this includes a pre-Marvel James Gunn.
Not one to overtly talk smack about anyone else, Glenn Close also did make an explicit reference to James Gunn. Sidestepping his recent controversy, Close mentioned how positive her time on the Guardians of the Galaxy set was, saying:
All I can say is that I had a wonderful time working with him.
As always, Glenn Close is a class act. Neither defending or attacking James Gunn, the Emmy and Tony winning actresses instead addressed the larger issue surrounding the somewhat toxic internet, as well as Gunn as a director. Way to go, Nova Prime.
The Nova Corps were a major factor of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, with Glenn Close starring alongside John C. Reilly as the group's ranking members. Many were hoping that Close would pop back up in Guardians 2 or Infinity War, neither of which came to fruition. Did she survive Thanos' unseen attack on Xandar? Fans assumed the answers would come with Guardians 3, although now it's unclear if and when that blockbuster will be arriving in theaters.
The next installment in the MCU is Captain Marvel on March 8, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
