James Gunn has been fired from the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 after a series of offensive tweets resurfaced online this week.

Before the news of his firing broke, Gunn took to Twitter to explain the old tweets, which make light of topics like rape and pedophilia. “Many people who have followed my career know when I started, I viewed myself as a provocateur, making movies and telling jokes that were outrageous and taboo. As I have discussed publicly many times, as I’ve developed as a person, so has my work and my humor,” Gunn wrote. “I used to make a lot of offensive jokes. I don’t anymore. I don’t blame my past self for this, but I like myself more and feel like a more full human being and creator today. Love to you all.”

1. Many people who have followed my career know when I started, I viewed myself as a provocateur, making movies and telling jokes that were outrageous and taboo. As I have discussed publicly many times, as I’ve developed as a person, so has my work and my humor.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 20, 2018

In an official statement, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn condemned Gunn’s former tweets: “The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values, and we have severed our business relationship with him.”

Gunn is best-known for writing and directing the first two Guardians of the Galaxy films. The third installment was set to begin filming this fall, and Gunn was already at work on the screenplay. No word yet on if the film will continue along with Gunn’s script, if there will be a delay in filming, or who might step in to replace him.

UPDATE: James Gunn has since issued this personal statement:

“My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative. I have regretted them for many years since — not just because they were stupid, not at all funny, wildly insensitive, and certainly not provocative like I had hoped, but also because they don’t reflect the person I am today or have been for some time.

Regardless of how much time has passed, I understand and accept the business decisions taken today. Even these many years later, I take full responsibility for the way I conducted myself then. All I can do now, beyond offering my sincere and heartfelt regret, is to be the best human being I can be: accepting, understanding, committed to equality, and far more thoughtful about my public statements and my obligations to our public discourse. To everyone inside my industry and beyond, I again offer my deepest apologies. Love to all.”

Image: Marvel Studios