by James Gunn, the director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, retaliated violently to a fan for making a racist remark against one of his MCU actors.
Chukwudi Iwuji‘s casting as the High Evolutionary in Guardians 3 added some serious talent to the ensemble, and he’ll put the intergalactic band of misfits through all kinds of emotional turmoil throughout the entire film. Iwuji previously starred as Clemson Murn in Season 1 of Peacemaker, albeit his character perished as the DCU niverse expanded to new adventures. This is also his second collaboration with Gunn.
Iwuji’s inclusion in Guardians 3 was announced in November 2021, and Gunn hailed it as “one of the best actors [he’s] ever worked with,” declaring that he has no intention of letting go of Iwuji.
Iwuji intends to bring one of the most powerful figures in MCU history to the big screen, however certain MCU fan groups have reacted negatively to his casting in this role.
James Gunn Responds to MCU Remark
In response to a fan’s racist remark, director James Gunn discussed Chukwudi Iwuji’s selection for the role of the High Evolutionary in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.
A commenter on Instagram questioned blatantly why the antagonist is Black rather than White like in some of the source material because the character is “another white guy they transformed into a black guy”:
“Damnit… another white guy they made into a black guy. Why couldn’t they just leave him white or I don`t 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 what PC and not on acting and what established.”
With little regard for Iwuji’s race, Gunn retorted that he “chose the best actor…and the best person” for this role. He even mentioned how the figure is frequently purple in hue as he begged the fan to stop using racial language:
“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.)”
This is not the first time that Gunn has addressed racial remarks made against Iwuji; in December 2022, in response to a different fan’s complaint about the villain’s colour being reversed, Gunn referred to Iwuji as “the best actor [he] ever worked with”:
“Because Chuk is the best actor I’ve ever worked with, that’s why. Has zero to do with race.”
Gunn Speaking Up for Marvel Super Heroes
James Gunn isn’t one to hold his tongue when he notices something isn’t right, whether it’s denying rumours or responding to fans who make comments like this one.
Racism in the entertainment sector has unfortunately been a hot topic in recent years, especially in light of the scandals involving actors like Ray Fisher from DC and Moses Ingram from Star Wars. Yet in this instance, Gunn promptly dispelled a supporter’s comments about Chukwudi Iwuji, making it plain that Iwuji is deserving of the part because of his talent and hard ethic.
Now that the teasers for Guardians 3 have hinted at some epic action from the team’s newest bad guy, fans are still waiting for further information on what his High Evolutionary will accomplish in the film.
Iwuji is likely to be vicious and violent in this eagerly awaited adventure, as this threequel is predicted to murder out at least one member of the Guardians before all is said and done.
On May 5, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be released in theatres.
