James Gunn keeps a list of actors he won’t be working with

James Gunn wants to keep a galaxy away from certain A-list actors.

The ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ director revealed during a Twitter Q&A that he has no problem recasting ‘assholes’ and has a ‘long list’ of stars he will never work with.

“If it’s her temper and it’s serious, I’ll recast it immediately,” Gunn tweeted. “Life is too short for assholes. Same goes for repeatedly showing up very late, which I hate, or unprepared. I have a long list of actors, A-list & others I will never work with for these reasons.”

Gunn continued, “But when it comes to the performance and they’re going all out, I’ll do whatever it takes to make it work until it’s absolutely clear that the quality of the project will be noticeably compromised if we don’t rewrite.” That can happen with really talented actors who just don’t fit in.”

Another fan asked how Gunn finds out that actors are “assholes” and if he compares himself to other filmmakers.

“For actors and production executives, I always do due diligence with directors, actors, producers and crew that I trust,” Gunn replied. “If they turn out to be idiots (not just cranky or grouchy, but real idiots) or irresponsible, I won’t hire them. Some actors I already know are never considered.”

The director clarified that actors will be paid in full if recast during production. Of course, Gunn’s Guardians cast is among his most popular.

“I’m very attached to the Guardians cast,” Gunn shared. “Some of them are among my best friends around the world. But I’m even more attached to the Guardians characters, and that stirs my emotions as I write.”

Gunn also took the moment to praise The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker star John Cena.

“@JohnCena is some of the best people to work with – always prepared, on time and kind to everyone,” Gunn written. “He and many of my regulars are some of the actors I really want to work with. I want to call out to them here, but the lack of signs means I would miss many.

Gunn previously defended Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt and said he was furious that Pratt was being called the “worst Hollywood Chris” behind Chris Pine and Chris Evans.

“Chris is incredibly kind to people; He’ll do anything to help kids,” Gunn said earlier this year. “He is a particularly loving father. And there’s a lot of things that people have literally just made up about him — his politics, who he is, what he thinks of other people, you know?

If it’s her temper and it’s serious, I’ll change my mind immediately. Life’s too short for assholes. Same goes for repeatedly showing up very late, which I hate, or unprepared. I have a long list of actors, A-list & others I will never work with for these reasons…

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 27, 2022

But when it comes to performance and they’re going all out, I’ll do whatever it takes to make it work until it’s absolutely clear that if we don’t rewrite it, the quality of the project will be noticeably impacted. That can happen with really talented actors who just don’t fit.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 27, 2022

I always do due diligence with actors and production executives with directors, actors, producers and crew that I trust. If they turn out to be idiots (not just grouchy or grumpy, real idiots) or irresponsible, I won’t hire them. Some actors I already know are never considered.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 27, 2022

Yes. @JohnCena is among the best people to work with – always prepared, on time and friendly to everyone. He and many of my regulars are some of the actors I really want to work with. I want to call out to them here, but the lack of signs means I would miss many.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 27, 2022

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