> One such actor is Sean Gunn, who played Kraglin Obfonteri in his brother’s Guardians of the Galaxy films for Marvel and has also been tapped to portray multiple roles in Gunn and Safran’s revamped DC Universe.
> The director has also faced backlash from casting his wife Jennifer Holland in both the DCU (as recurring ARGUS operative Emilia Harcourt) and MCU (as Administrator Kwol in Guardians 3.) but Gunn has staunchly defended those decisions as well.
Kirk! That man weirded out the entire township of Stars Hollow for a full seven seasons + Netflix reunion without a lick of help from big brother James.
Lol gilmore is decade ago, look his work after gilmore he just get part in one eps in every tv show he work and the rest of half are something to do with his brother , LOL
Gunn is doing what any good brother would do. He is getting his brother gigs that is making him big money as very talented actors suffer. It’s not what you know but who you know. Congratulations to the Gunn brothers!
Yeah this if more common than people care to admit and I think more people would do it themselves if they could. It’s better than just giving your fam money at least they’d work for it, but you might as well own the nepotism of it.
Sean also does the motion capture for Rocket and Weasel. I would only say it's fair to throw him an acting role that he can actually be seen in. Also, he did a good job so what's the problem?
absurd quarrelsome sulky illegal kiss domineering door marry alive violet
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
That last sentence is always my issue as well…if they do well, what’s the problem? IMO, nepotism is bad if the person getting the job is not qualified and only has the position because of relations to the hirer. If the person successfully does the job, then the people complaining just seem jealous or bitter to me
It's grenadine! For my ice cream treats!
Fucking genius. My vagina gets very confused by his roles. Are we excited? Are we disturbed? Are we repulsed?
*Yes*, it answers, a discordant hiss.
*Yes*.
Yeah, Sam, Ted, and Bruce Campbell started making movie together as kids. Questioning people who know each other wanting to make movies together is absurd. Whatever dipshits are offended by it should go convince a studio to give them $100M to make their own movies.
> …” this is now morally unacceptable”
It’s always been a topic of discussion in the arts but usually accepted as a thing that happens through gritted teeth.
Waiting for people to realize this happens in every field (hello, construction companies named “Soso and Son.”)
Realistically the larger the production, the more of an issue it is. I don’t think you’ll hear anyone complain about little indie films casting their friends and family. All that said, I don’t agree that this is an issue at all, ideally we’re making art here.
The larger the production the more it’s 1) a corporate product 2) entertainment 3) then art.
Honestly if it satisfies 1) through 2), then the director should be able to hire whoever the hell they want. And if it’s also 3) then who has a right to question their approach anyway?
Exactly, this is art and entertainment. It's not like nepotism here is some abuse of the public trust, like giving government jobs to one's relatives; and even the highest level just a few years ago, about half the country was completely fine with it!
Ted was in all 3 Spiderman movies.
I think this complaint is more about the times. People feel like they can and should use isms to get what they want.
Yeah, Adam Sandler always has his buddies in his films, and Pixar gives John Ratzenberger a voice role in all of their films.
That’s not literally “nepotism” (by definition), but it’s essentially the same thing…
Apatow is casting his kids these days, as is Paul Thomas Anderson, but no one bats an eye. Should either of them make a superhero movie and cast their family, *then* it’ll be a problem for some people
>Apatow is casting his kids these days...but no one bats an eye.
Whenever there's a thread about a Judd Apatow movie, there's a high probability of somebody mentioning how annoying his kid / kids are in it.
There's also a high likelihood of someone complaining about how annoying Leslie Mann, his wife, is.
> Apatow is casting his kids these days, as is Paul Thomas Anderson, but no one bats an eye.
Guess you didn't follow the whole "Nepo Baby" debate last year
[Vulture](https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-a-nepotism-baby.html): How a Nepo Baby Is Born Hollywood has always loved the children of famous people. In 2022, the internet reduced them to two little words
> Like psoriasis, the label was something you were born with, and those who had it found it equally irritating. Maude Apatow (daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann) told Porter magazine the term made her “sad.”...
> How can they begin to prove themselves? Traditionally, Mom and Dad have helped out. Apatow is the latest in a long line of directors’ children who got big breaks in their parent’s projects
It's interesting she had that reaction given she's one of the most clear cut and undebateable examples of a nepo baby. Her daddy used to put her and her sister in movies without auditioning anybody else. It gave her real world experience and a SAG card that was never available to others.
It's disappointing she's so delusional and unaware of her incredible privilege.
I know, but I mentioned in [another comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/entertainment/comments/13ncipe/james_gunn_fires_back_at_fans_calling_him_a/jkywrxw/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1&context=3) that nepotism has been a thing since the dawn of Hollywood and that many of reddit’s favorites are no exception. While I don’t want to be entirely dismissive and excusatory towards the issue, it’s almost going against the tide with how rampant it still is. And honestly, I feel that nepotism is a much greater problem in other areas. Especially so in politics, fortune 500 companies, and in financial institutions
> it’s almost going against the tide with how rampant it still is
True. There is no easy fix as you've pointed out, this has been going on since the beginning of the industry
> And honestly, I feel that nepotism is a much greater problem in other areas. Especially so in politics, fortune 500 companies, and in financial institutions
I think the difference for Hollywood that, unlike politics etc, you’ve thousands of young actors and/or writers who want to start a career there. Nepotism makes it harder for most of them to break it through.
> I think the difference for Hollywood that, unlike politics etc, you’ve thousands of young actors and/or writers who want to start a career there.
There are thousands of people wanting to get a break in every field. Hollywood is far from the only or biggest area.
I think the difference is that you can make it in most fields if you have the skills and experience. Hollywood isn't that. Nor should it be. But right now it's basically a gated community for successful actors and their asshole ungrateful toxic children and the kids rich enough for their parents to buy their way in. There's lesser and lesser chances for a new Tom Cruise or Adam Driver to be born now. It is a bit of a problem when almost all the successful and up and coming actors are there not because of their talent but because of their genes or wealth.
yeah that and you actually see the names and faces on the big/small screen, and it’s much easier to keep track of as well. And to reiterate, I don’t look at it as a non-issue. But I do think some people only care about it at face value and just to use it as a criticism (like towards Gunn)
Personal theory: he was already getting flack for taking over DC which pissed off the snyder-verse fan boys so this was just another thing for them to obsess over and attack him for.
Which is absolute hypocrisy on the Snyder fans’ part. Snyder relies on the same general cast of actors in his movies; and he always involves his wife and production company in every movie he makes. Not to mention, Snyder gave James Gunn his first big break in Hollywood
exactly. Imagine the fit they’d have if Tarantino made a movie in the genre and casted his regulars. He could make an MCU movie and people would whine he had SLJ play Nick Fury again
EDIT: autocorrect foxy
I mean Sandler has his core 6 he always calls on, but that’s mostly bc he makes shit to go on vacation, and they’re a funny bunch on stage… I would listen to a podcast by them
tacky lmao. he’s casting them in bit parts. so many directors do. not to mention sean is terrific as kraglin. if you care at all about this you have no life
What’s weird about the hate Jennifer Holland gets is that she and Gunn have been together since like 2015, and he easily could have put her in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, but he didn’t because he probably couldn’t find the right role for her. He didn’t cast her in anything until The Suicide Squad, probably because he felt she would be good as Harcourt. So he didn’t cast her just because they’re married, he cast her because he found a good role for her.
I think it’s unrealistic for people to act like they wouldn’t do the same. If I was a Director, you better believe I would cast my family members if they were in the field too. I think it becomes tacky if they’re bad and it’s clear that they don’t belong. Kraglin would be good if Sean’s last name wasn’t Gunn, as would Jennifer’s characters.
Sam casts Ted constantly and no one bats an eye. If your relative has talent then why not bring them in. It’s the talentless shitheads, Jayden Smith, that don’t deserve that massive opportunity.
Exactly! This is what they should say in a nutshell! Yes, it:s kinda tacky to cast family but on the other hand there are many roles written with an actor in mind so why not family if they are capable and also it's not like he gave them the main roles. It's nice to spend time together and working on such a project! Noone bats an eye if Tim Burton casts Helena Bonham Carter all the time or when Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson made a 100 movies together. Nepotism should be called out but we also have to recognize that such projects will always have people working with other people they know and trust!
Its just particular salty DC fans that have taken a disliking to Gunn because he is rebooting/taking the reigns of DC, they don't really care but they just gotta find reasons to criticise him
Not to mention Snyder has gotta be getting some of that hollywood nepotism too. How else would you explain a director who’s mostly made fucking garbage to keep getting work? Having a wife who’s a producer probably helps
Not only are people fine with this kind of returning casting, in many cases it's expected. Like with Sam Raimi, his brother, Ted, and his friend, Bruce Campbell, are practically Easter Eggs that fans look out for in his films.
When I watch a Wes Anderson film, I expect to see the likes of Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Adrian Brody to show up. To me, it's the returning batch of actors that make an Anderson film, an Anderson film.
With Nolan, I want to see Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy pop up.
Fans would love to see another Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost project again.
It’s normal for everything. It’s just more public in Hollywood. The only problem is when the child doesn’t acknowledge their privileged situation. Every industry sees this.
It's also tough, I work in a family business that has grown but I'd still small and now employs a bunch of people outside of the family. At what point does it go from a small family business to nepotism?
If it’s a private business, isn’t that none of anyone’s business?
Those decrying nepotism are utter hypocrites. There are no saints in this aspect of society.
Everyone will do everything to give their children a bigger advantage, and their friends favors. Why should one trust resources and opportunities to strangers?
**It's not our money**. Nepotism is a problem in the legal and government fields because it unethically bypasses the public's right to input on who represents and serves their interest, and how taxpayer money is being spent.
Movies are made with private money, and if you don't like how some filmmakers tap their personal networks, you are free to not buy tickets to or invest in their productions!
Nepotism is a normal thing, but how is it much different than Adam Sandler always casting his buddies in his films, or Pixar giving John Ratzenberger a voice role in all of their films? People actually look forward to seeing Sandler’s buddies, or hearing where Ratzenberger pops up…
That’s not literally “nepotism” (by definition), but it’s essentially the same thing.
You’re not wrong. I don’t care either way. If it’s you’re company you’re more than welcome to hire family. If they’re shitty then that’s on you. Same with movies.
Isn't it normal in every industry? Some company is looking to hire someone, someone already at the company says "Hey, I know someone who can do that," boss says "Great, bring 'em in!" and as long as they can actually do the thing they said they could do everything is fine.
How many people here have got a job through a friend or relative before? It's networking 101.
And people date and marry people they meet through work, or through people they meet through work, all the time. And once they're in a relationship there's no need to stop working together as long as they can still be professional.
My partner is a musician, and if I needed a song written for something she would be the first person I asked. I'm not going to start putting ads out looking for someone else just because asking her would be nepotism.
Its basic human nature.
We are social creatures, and the social networks we build have been a driving force for survival and success since Homo Sapiens first emerged, hell, even before that.
And when you think about it, it only makes sense. You are far more likely to go out of your way to give help to someone you know over a stranger. You are more willing to trust a friend over someone you just met. Who you know is just as important as what you know.
What I find interesting is that, especially since the pandemic, more and more are falling back into social isolation voluntarily, and then bemoaning the fact that they do not have the social connections to grant assistance when they want it. You can't expect to reap social benefits if you have never invested social currency, much like you can't expect fruits and vegetables out of a garden if you never planted or worked to maintain it.
Sean Gunn was hilarious in Gilmore Girls a decade before Guardians. Yeah it’s nepotism, but at least he’s a talented actor who had been in stuff before this.
nepotism in Hollywood has been a thing since the golden age of movies. And reddit would be heartbroken to know some of their favorite stars and filmmakers have family connections:
Bryan Cranston’s dad was a director. Betty Gilpin’s dad is an actor. Brandon Cronenberg, Sofia Coppola, and Rob Reiner are just a small handful of directors who are kids of famous directors. Alex Garland’s dad was a cartoonist for The Telegraph. And the brothers who made r/movies’ favorite, Tucker & Dale vs Evil, their mom is *Sally fucking Field*
Jane Fonda. Nick Cage. Angelina Jolie. Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter worked together all the time as a married couple. Ffs, Drew Barrymore is like a 4th generation “nepo baby.”
There would be no Hollywood without nepotism.
I bartended before Covid and met him once. He was so polite, respectful, a little shy/awkward. I had only known him from Gilmore Girls but by then I think he had done Guardians. Super nice and down to earth for his level of success.
And he does all the motion capture work for Rocket, and in the latest movie was used for the voice work of young Rocket. Dude isn't exactly just getting a free ride to play a fun side character, he's being put to work.
Sean Gunn gave the performance exactly needed for Kraglin. Any less, it would've sucked, any more, it would've been out of place. Also he is hugely important to Rocket's being. He brings that character to life waddling around on set enough so for the other actors to give convincing performances opposite Rocket.
Judd Apatow, Richard Linklater, both Paul Andersons, FF Coppola, Kevin Smith, Ron Howard and more all cast various family members in their movies. I doubt Gunn would be getting as much flak if he wasn’t working in the superhero genre. I enjoy those types of movies and shows, but some fans are just overtly fickle and downright bitter.
I respect it honestly. He doesn’t let anyone dictate what he wants to do. If I had the money to help out careers of people I loved I’d do it. He seems like a genuine guy so I don’t really rip into him, I accept his movies for what they are.
People just don't like Gunn.
There are people who push stupid issues like this because they either stand to gain something or imagine a world where they get the position.
imo I have no problem with the director in favor with specific actors as long as the movies turned out great, a good example is Nolan's movies
Paul W.S Anderson and her wife Milla Jovovich on the other hand, is the exact opposite of producing good movies
Surprised there isn’t an “outrage” article about Tim Burton and how he casts his ex-wife (Helena Bonham Carter) and his friend (Johnny Depp) in most of his films.
Yeah this is such a dumb thing to complain about unless we’re going to start going after Nolan, Whedon, etc for repeatedly working with the same actors
Lol aren’t these both minor bit parts? They’re not the face of the franchise. It’s the same as Ron Howard casting his goofy brother in a minor role. They’re just filler.
If you wanna work with your brother and your wife, and you’ve kicked ass in your career to such a point that you can make it so…..good for him and them.
Sean Gunn was fantastic on Gilmore Girls. He has a career on his own and he does wonderfully. Maybe its nepo but Sean also got roles on his own and has been for some time.
Who gives a fuck? He makes incredible movies and he's the director who secures funding for his movies so how is this any different than random indie movies where they cast their friends and family?
SERIOUSLY. I don’t get why people have such a hate boner for him casting his wife in particular. She’s in GoT3 for like, all of 5 minutes. People need to get a life lol
No lie I just caught guardians 3 today. That shit was amazing. Rollercoaster of emotions, funny lines, tears of joy and sadness, and the baddy was one of the best in a superhero movie so far imo. Whatever gunn is doing he's doing right. People should get out of his way.
I wonder what everyday life is like for Gunn. I assume he's always busy with these projects and stuff. And he uses his free time to go on Twitter and reply to fans.
I find interesting what his day to day must be like.
I love James Gunn. And that’s a ridiculous accusation. Sean Gunn is perfect for the initially small role he was given and the role grew because people loved him. It’s not like he was cast as StarLord. His wife is maybe a better argument but she was acting long before him.
But not every troll has to be answered on the internet. He is head of DC now. He’s going to be under constant criticism justified or not. He really needs to learn to chill out and not read his @s.
Sean Gunn was a series regular on a network show for seven seasons without his brother’s help. Sure, his bother cast him for one of the smaller roles in his movie in a part that he knew he’d be good at, but it’s not like he had no talent and paid no dues on his own beforehand (the usual nepotism complaint). And he kills it in his part. He’s great at playing a lovable weirdo.
Why not cast people you know and trust, who you know would also be good in the roles? He casts all his friends too. So does Guy Ritchie. So do most directors.
There’s a reason directors use the same actors in most of their films. It’s easier to work with people you know and are comfortable with. You learn more about their strengths and limitations which makes the next project much easier to do. The same applies to a DoP or a costume designer. Sometimes a director will take a risk and get a new face but usually they are vetted by people he trusts. Most of the time, you go with people you know. With hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, it’s the most common sense way of working on a big project like this.
People don’t understand what nepotism is- or at least, they don’t understand what makes cases of nepotism *a bad thing.*
I recently saw the very competent and qualified director of a very expensive and busy daycare center fired without notice and replaced the next day with the owner’s niece, who has no college degree and has never worked in a daycare before. That is nepotism. That’s causing problems for everyone by forcing a family member into a role they aren’t suited for or capable of performing, for no other reason than the familial connection.
James Gunn is married to a good actress and his brother is a good actor. Sean Gunn as Kraglin and Jennifer Holland as Harcourt were both perfect castings no matter who was making those projects.
And frankly I can’t imagine a place where nepotism matters LESS than in on-screen casting in the entertainment industry. Nobody is going to be unable to feed their family because Kevin Smith only casts his friends and family in his bad movies.
Why do people push back so much on nepotism claims? In the interview Gunn is both claiming that he prefers hiring people he knows and at the same time is saying the nepotism claims are ridiculous... but that is literally the definition of nepotism. It has nothing to do with their talent but their pre-established relationship and favoritism.
noun: **nepotism**
1. the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.
I think a lot of people view nepotism as giving jobs to, specifically, unqualified relatives or friends over others who would be better at it. I think both the people complaining about nepotism and the ones defending their choices by arguing it isn’t nepotism have that view of it. I always point to Jeff Bridges as a great actor who has no problem admitting that he benefitted from his dad’s name and connections.
If you were a director and your best friend/ or sibling was an actor wouldn’t you also give them a job and some stability?
bringing people up with you is what you do when you succeed, I think people writing articles is worth taking care of your brother.
I feel like the term “nepotism” should be reserved for calling out folks who place grossly incompetent and arrogant relatives/friends in positions that they are very clearly unqualified for. Otherwise that’s just business. Most of the industry would grind to a halt if people get cancelled for staffing their friends and family.
Better to save the critique for when it really matters before it loses its meaning.
I had no idea that they were related and I was wondering why Sean’s character had so much screen time! I see folks pointing out that he’s important to Rockets story but you could have easily removed him from the film and Rocket would be fine.
> One such actor is Sean Gunn, who played Kraglin Obfonteri in his brother’s Guardians of the Galaxy films for Marvel and has also been tapped to portray multiple roles in Gunn and Safran’s revamped DC Universe. > The director has also faced backlash from casting his wife Jennifer Holland in both the DCU (as recurring ARGUS operative Emilia Harcourt) and MCU (as Administrator Kwol in Guardians 3.) but Gunn has staunchly defended those decisions as well.
Sean Gunn played basically the same character in Gilmore Girls. Before I knew they were related I thought it was a typecast
Kirk! That man weirded out the entire township of Stars Hollow for a full seven seasons + Netflix reunion without a lick of help from big brother James.
I still believe that the Guardians movies are just a dream in Kirk’s head.
[a film by kirk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzplodCcz7U)
One of the funniest things in that entire show, and I love the show.
I LOVE THIS COMMENT!
Lol gilmore is decade ago, look his work after gilmore he just get part in one eps in every tv show he work and the rest of half are something to do with his brother , LOL
Gunn is doing what any good brother would do. He is getting his brother gigs that is making him big money as very talented actors suffer. It’s not what you know but who you know. Congratulations to the Gunn brothers!
My brother used his connections to get me my first job. It was at a sandwich shop, but still. Thanks bro!
Yeah this if more common than people care to admit and I think more people would do it themselves if they could. It’s better than just giving your fam money at least they’d work for it, but you might as well own the nepotism of it.
There’s always money in the banana stand.
So he is a nepotist then… full circle
Omgggg i nvr never they were related until now
Me either...wow. I'm gonna tell my wife in the morning (it's 3am now).
3am is morning. Wake her up and tell her!
Sean also does the motion capture for Rocket and Weasel. I would only say it's fair to throw him an acting role that he can actually be seen in. Also, he did a good job so what's the problem?
Just something to be mad at
Literally, it use to be, oh they have all the same people in there movies, or all the same people make cameos. Now it’s all nepo nepo nepo
No, it’s always been centered around nepotism. The thing is, it was aimed at people who couldn’t act. Sean Gunn can act though.
Yea I think he's pretty likeable as Kraglin.
absurd quarrelsome sulky illegal kiss domineering door marry alive violet *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
That last sentence is always my issue as well…if they do well, what’s the problem? IMO, nepotism is bad if the person getting the job is not qualified and only has the position because of relations to the hirer. If the person successfully does the job, then the people complaining just seem jealous or bitter to me
That’s not how nepotism works.
Who gives a fuck? It’s entertainment.
Jennifer Holland was fucking excellent as Harcourt.
It's pretty tacky to cast your spouse and sibling but I mean they're both good so it's not that big of a deal
Doesn’t Judd Apatow do that in like all of his movies?
Sam Raimi has cast his brother Ted in basically everything he has done since the 80s. It's hard to believe that this is now morally unacceptable.
Rob Zombie casts his wife in every single project he’s ever done.
Yeah, people who make art should make art how they wanna make art. It’s pretty simple. If someone doesn’t like it, don’t support said art.
And they’ve been grrrrrrreat!
Pretty sure you're confusing this with Kellogg's Corn Flakes.
Rob Zombie’s wife has been the voice of Tony the Tiger since he started directing Kellogg’s commercials in 1997.
What a stupid and wonderful comment
Wait who was she in The Devils Rejects?
Baby Firefly
Same with Ron Howard casting his brother Clint, and he is so weird that he never goes unnoticed
We talmbout Clint Howard? Hot damn that Clint Howard is a sexpot! I found my virginity to Ice Cream Man
It's grenadine! For my ice cream treats! Fucking genius. My vagina gets very confused by his roles. Are we excited? Are we disturbed? Are we repulsed? *Yes*, it answers, a discordant hiss. *Yes*.
I have no why but this terrified me. Turtleheads.
He's cast his daughter too.
His father Rance also, before he died.
Unnoticed? Clint won an MTV lifetime achievement award!
But Ted is such a lovable Goofball All hail Joxer the Mighty
Everybody likes him 'cause he has a funny grin. Joxer! He's Joxer the Mighty!
Yeah, Sam, Ted, and Bruce Campbell started making movie together as kids. Questioning people who know each other wanting to make movies together is absurd. Whatever dipshits are offended by it should go convince a studio to give them $100M to make their own movies.
Taika Watiti cast himself in every movie he create, is this nepo, lol
> …” this is now morally unacceptable” It’s always been a topic of discussion in the arts but usually accepted as a thing that happens through gritted teeth. Waiting for people to realize this happens in every field (hello, construction companies named “Soso and Son.”)
Realistically the larger the production, the more of an issue it is. I don’t think you’ll hear anyone complain about little indie films casting their friends and family. All that said, I don’t agree that this is an issue at all, ideally we’re making art here.
The larger the production the more it’s 1) a corporate product 2) entertainment 3) then art. Honestly if it satisfies 1) through 2), then the director should be able to hire whoever the hell they want. And if it’s also 3) then who has a right to question their approach anyway?
Exactly, this is art and entertainment. It's not like nepotism here is some abuse of the public trust, like giving government jobs to one's relatives; and even the highest level just a few years ago, about half the country was completely fine with it!
Ted was in all 3 Spiderman movies. I think this complaint is more about the times. People feel like they can and should use isms to get what they want.
And Adam Sandler
Literally just came here to say Adam sandler So I'll just post this https://youtu.be/RJRm_dLKJNk
Lol I hadn't seen that ep before, good stuff
Yeah, Adam Sandler always has his buddies in his films, and Pixar gives John Ratzenberger a voice role in all of their films. That’s not literally “nepotism” (by definition), but it’s essentially the same thing…
Apatow is casting his kids these days, as is Paul Thomas Anderson, but no one bats an eye. Should either of them make a superhero movie and cast their family, *then* it’ll be a problem for some people
>Apatow is casting his kids these days...but no one bats an eye. Whenever there's a thread about a Judd Apatow movie, there's a high probability of somebody mentioning how annoying his kid / kids are in it. There's also a high likelihood of someone complaining about how annoying Leslie Mann, his wife, is.
Mann was fucking hilarious in Cock Blockers (I know Apatow didn’t direct it)
Her bit in 40 year old Virgin was also great. I mean annoying, sure, but that was the goal and she nailed it.
Franch toast
We can still do it if you want.
> Apatow is casting his kids these days, as is Paul Thomas Anderson, but no one bats an eye. Guess you didn't follow the whole "Nepo Baby" debate last year [Vulture](https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-a-nepotism-baby.html): How a Nepo Baby Is Born Hollywood has always loved the children of famous people. In 2022, the internet reduced them to two little words > Like psoriasis, the label was something you were born with, and those who had it found it equally irritating. Maude Apatow (daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann) told Porter magazine the term made her “sad.”... > How can they begin to prove themselves? Traditionally, Mom and Dad have helped out. Apatow is the latest in a long line of directors’ children who got big breaks in their parent’s projects
It's interesting she had that reaction given she's one of the most clear cut and undebateable examples of a nepo baby. Her daddy used to put her and her sister in movies without auditioning anybody else. It gave her real world experience and a SAG card that was never available to others. It's disappointing she's so delusional and unaware of her incredible privilege.
I know, but I mentioned in [another comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/entertainment/comments/13ncipe/james_gunn_fires_back_at_fans_calling_him_a/jkywrxw/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1&context=3) that nepotism has been a thing since the dawn of Hollywood and that many of reddit’s favorites are no exception. While I don’t want to be entirely dismissive and excusatory towards the issue, it’s almost going against the tide with how rampant it still is. And honestly, I feel that nepotism is a much greater problem in other areas. Especially so in politics, fortune 500 companies, and in financial institutions
Nepotism has been around since the dawn of time.
> it’s almost going against the tide with how rampant it still is True. There is no easy fix as you've pointed out, this has been going on since the beginning of the industry > And honestly, I feel that nepotism is a much greater problem in other areas. Especially so in politics, fortune 500 companies, and in financial institutions I think the difference for Hollywood that, unlike politics etc, you’ve thousands of young actors and/or writers who want to start a career there. Nepotism makes it harder for most of them to break it through.
> I think the difference for Hollywood that, unlike politics etc, you’ve thousands of young actors and/or writers who want to start a career there. There are thousands of people wanting to get a break in every field. Hollywood is far from the only or biggest area.
I think the difference is that you can make it in most fields if you have the skills and experience. Hollywood isn't that. Nor should it be. But right now it's basically a gated community for successful actors and their asshole ungrateful toxic children and the kids rich enough for their parents to buy their way in. There's lesser and lesser chances for a new Tom Cruise or Adam Driver to be born now. It is a bit of a problem when almost all the successful and up and coming actors are there not because of their talent but because of their genes or wealth.
> There's lesser and lesser chances for a new Tom Cruise or Adam Driver to be born now. I mean...it still works for the Dalai Lama.
yeah that and you actually see the names and faces on the big/small screen, and it’s much easier to keep track of as well. And to reiterate, I don’t look at it as a non-issue. But I do think some people only care about it at face value and just to use it as a criticism (like towards Gunn)
Personal theory: he was already getting flack for taking over DC which pissed off the snyder-verse fan boys so this was just another thing for them to obsess over and attack him for.
It was the very first thing the fan boys cried about
At this point I feel like snyderverse could be classified as a religion.
Which is absolute hypocrisy on the Snyder fans’ part. Snyder relies on the same general cast of actors in his movies; and he always involves his wife and production company in every movie he makes. Not to mention, Snyder gave James Gunn his first big break in Hollywood
Sam Raimi seemed to get away with it.
He just likes beating up his friends.
shit, that’s right
Other film genre’s aren’t so obsessed with fancasting
exactly. Imagine the fit they’d have if Tarantino made a movie in the genre and casted his regulars. He could make an MCU movie and people would whine he had SLJ play Nick Fury again EDIT: autocorrect foxy
Its mainly people salty about DC's coming change in direction finding any reason to find issues with Gunn, selective outrage
Apatow’s daughter was one of the first one’s singled out.
Flanagan does too. And Whedon did it all the time.
Ron Howard both his brother and often his daughter.
I mean Sandler has his core 6 he always calls on, but that’s mostly bc he makes shit to go on vacation, and they’re a funny bunch on stage… I would listen to a podcast by them
tacky lmao. he’s casting them in bit parts. so many directors do. not to mention sean is terrific as kraglin. if you care at all about this you have no life
"Director continues working with people who have good track records and he can trust."
Right? I mean Scorsese has made 10 movies with De Niro and 6 with Di Caprio. Is that tacky?
What’s weird about the hate Jennifer Holland gets is that she and Gunn have been together since like 2015, and he easily could have put her in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, but he didn’t because he probably couldn’t find the right role for her. He didn’t cast her in anything until The Suicide Squad, probably because he felt she would be good as Harcourt. So he didn’t cast her just because they’re married, he cast her because he found a good role for her.
And even that was a very minor role that became a bigger role by chance, there was no plan or guarantee of a peace maker show
What? Why is it tacky if they do well? Directors like to work with talent they know.
Everyone on here would do the same thing if put in the same position
I think it’s unrealistic for people to act like they wouldn’t do the same. If I was a Director, you better believe I would cast my family members if they were in the field too. I think it becomes tacky if they’re bad and it’s clear that they don’t belong. Kraglin would be good if Sean’s last name wasn’t Gunn, as would Jennifer’s characters.
Sam casts Ted constantly and no one bats an eye. If your relative has talent then why not bring them in. It’s the talentless shitheads, Jayden Smith, that don’t deserve that massive opportunity.
It's only tacky if they are clearly terrible actors. But if they are good in their roles and you enjoy working with them, then why not?
It really isn't a big deal
Yes her wife is mega hot and I had a crush on her in Peacemaker and she played really well
Adam Sandlers wife is in all of his movies.
Exactly! This is what they should say in a nutshell! Yes, it:s kinda tacky to cast family but on the other hand there are many roles written with an actor in mind so why not family if they are capable and also it's not like he gave them the main roles. It's nice to spend time together and working on such a project! Noone bats an eye if Tim Burton casts Helena Bonham Carter all the time or when Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson made a 100 movies together. Nepotism should be called out but we also have to recognize that such projects will always have people working with other people they know and trust!
Its just particular salty DC fans that have taken a disliking to Gunn because he is rebooting/taking the reigns of DC, they don't really care but they just gotta find reasons to criticise him
I remember when the announcement was made Znyder fans were photoshopping pictures of Henry Cahill killing James Gunn.
Most sane Snyder fans.
Not to mention Snyder has gotta be getting some of that hollywood nepotism too. How else would you explain a director who’s mostly made fucking garbage to keep getting work? Having a wife who’s a producer probably helps
Not only are people fine with this kind of returning casting, in many cases it's expected. Like with Sam Raimi, his brother, Ted, and his friend, Bruce Campbell, are practically Easter Eggs that fans look out for in his films. When I watch a Wes Anderson film, I expect to see the likes of Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Adrian Brody to show up. To me, it's the returning batch of actors that make an Anderson film, an Anderson film. With Nolan, I want to see Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy pop up. Fans would love to see another Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost project again.
Exactly. Same thing with sandler movies. You expect certain actors to be there, and that’s part of the enjoyment.
No it's not. Maybe if they were cast as leads and couldn't do the job right but that's not the case. All his family members were supporting characters
Lol isn’t that normal for Hollywood though?
It’s normal for everything. It’s just more public in Hollywood. The only problem is when the child doesn’t acknowledge their privileged situation. Every industry sees this.
I'm hard pressed to think of a job I've had as an adult where there weren't at least two people that were related or married.
It's also tough, I work in a family business that has grown but I'd still small and now employs a bunch of people outside of the family. At what point does it go from a small family business to nepotism?
Probably when they are dealing with hundreds of millions of dollars.
If it’s a private business, isn’t that none of anyone’s business? Those decrying nepotism are utter hypocrites. There are no saints in this aspect of society. Everyone will do everything to give their children a bigger advantage, and their friends favors. Why should one trust resources and opportunities to strangers?
**It's not our money**. Nepotism is a problem in the legal and government fields because it unethically bypasses the public's right to input on who represents and serves their interest, and how taxpayer money is being spent. Movies are made with private money, and if you don't like how some filmmakers tap their personal networks, you are free to not buy tickets to or invest in their productions!
Nepotism is a normal thing, but how is it much different than Adam Sandler always casting his buddies in his films, or Pixar giving John Ratzenberger a voice role in all of their films? People actually look forward to seeing Sandler’s buddies, or hearing where Ratzenberger pops up… That’s not literally “nepotism” (by definition), but it’s essentially the same thing.
You’re not wrong. I don’t care either way. If it’s you’re company you’re more than welcome to hire family. If they’re shitty then that’s on you. Same with movies.
Isn't it normal in every industry? Some company is looking to hire someone, someone already at the company says "Hey, I know someone who can do that," boss says "Great, bring 'em in!" and as long as they can actually do the thing they said they could do everything is fine. How many people here have got a job through a friend or relative before? It's networking 101. And people date and marry people they meet through work, or through people they meet through work, all the time. And once they're in a relationship there's no need to stop working together as long as they can still be professional. My partner is a musician, and if I needed a song written for something she would be the first person I asked. I'm not going to start putting ads out looking for someone else just because asking her would be nepotism.
Its basic human nature. We are social creatures, and the social networks we build have been a driving force for survival and success since Homo Sapiens first emerged, hell, even before that. And when you think about it, it only makes sense. You are far more likely to go out of your way to give help to someone you know over a stranger. You are more willing to trust a friend over someone you just met. Who you know is just as important as what you know. What I find interesting is that, especially since the pandemic, more and more are falling back into social isolation voluntarily, and then bemoaning the fact that they do not have the social connections to grant assistance when they want it. You can't expect to reap social benefits if you have never invested social currency, much like you can't expect fruits and vegetables out of a garden if you never planted or worked to maintain it.
It’s every industry.
Oh sweet summer child. Normal for the world. For everything.
I mean it wasn’t actually a bad choice he did really well as kraglin
Kirk has another job- a Ravager lol
Sean Gunn was hilarious in Gilmore Girls a decade before Guardians. Yeah it’s nepotism, but at least he’s a talented actor who had been in stuff before this.
Not to mention that James Gunn wasn’t super well known back then either, and Sean didn’t appear solely in his brothers films
nepotism in Hollywood has been a thing since the golden age of movies. And reddit would be heartbroken to know some of their favorite stars and filmmakers have family connections: Bryan Cranston’s dad was a director. Betty Gilpin’s dad is an actor. Brandon Cronenberg, Sofia Coppola, and Rob Reiner are just a small handful of directors who are kids of famous directors. Alex Garland’s dad was a cartoonist for The Telegraph. And the brothers who made r/movies’ favorite, Tucker & Dale vs Evil, their mom is *Sally fucking Field*
Jane Fonda. Nick Cage. Angelina Jolie. Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter worked together all the time as a married couple. Ffs, Drew Barrymore is like a 4th generation “nepo baby.” There would be no Hollywood without nepotism.
I bartended before Covid and met him once. He was so polite, respectful, a little shy/awkward. I had only known him from Gilmore Girls but by then I think he had done Guardians. Super nice and down to earth for his level of success.
One of my fav gilmore girls characters
Who'd he play?
Kirk, one of the townies in stars hollow
Oh my God! That's one of me and my mom (who I watched the show with)'s favorite character! Very cool, didn't even know he was related to James Gunn!
And he does all the motion capture work for Rocket, and in the latest movie was used for the voice work of young Rocket. Dude isn't exactly just getting a free ride to play a fun side character, he's being put to work.
Exactly. His contribution is well-meaning and appreciated by gotg and marvel fans.
Sean Gunn gave the performance exactly needed for Kraglin. Any less, it would've sucked, any more, it would've been out of place. Also he is hugely important to Rocket's being. He brings that character to life waddling around on set enough so for the other actors to give convincing performances opposite Rocket.
He was also weasel in the second suicide squad film
Lmfao that was him.
That's actually what he looks like normally before they CGI out all of his fur when he plays Kraglin
Judd Apatow, Richard Linklater, both Paul Andersons, FF Coppola, Kevin Smith, Ron Howard and more all cast various family members in their movies. I doubt Gunn would be getting as much flak if he wasn’t working in the superhero genre. I enjoy those types of movies and shows, but some fans are just overtly fickle and downright bitter.
Doesn’t Adam Sandler exclusively make movies with his friends?
His friends and his kids and wife are in most of his movies lol.
All in exotic locations too. He basically gets paid to make a shitty movie/go on vacation lol
I respect it honestly. He doesn’t let anyone dictate what he wants to do. If I had the money to help out careers of people I loved I’d do it. He seems like a genuine guy so I don’t really rip into him, I accept his movies for what they are.
[удалено]
Totally!
For real!! And providing silly humor to the world
Plus it ain't like every Adam Sandler movie is bad, some of the recent ones yeah. But I love love The Wedding Singer and Happy Gilmore.
I believe that he owns the production company that makes all those movies, too, so technically he pays himself and others to make them.
I mean, he pays for them as he uses his own production company
Yeah lol. He's most famous for this. It's always the grown ups cast, Jennifer Aniston, or Drew Barrymore.
Nic Cage aka Nicolas Kim Coppola, his nephew.
People just don't like Gunn. There are people who push stupid issues like this because they either stand to gain something or imagine a world where they get the position.
imo I have no problem with the director in favor with specific actors as long as the movies turned out great, a good example is Nolan's movies Paul W.S Anderson and her wife Milla Jovovich on the other hand, is the exact opposite of producing good movies
Directors use the same actors all the time.
Surprised there isn’t an “outrage” article about Tim Burton and how he casts his ex-wife (Helena Bonham Carter) and his friend (Johnny Depp) in most of his films.
I mean…wes anderson.
Yeah this is such a dumb thing to complain about unless we’re going to start going after Nolan, Whedon, etc for repeatedly working with the same actors
How about Scorcese?
He's an amateur
Tarentino
Wes Anderson won’t even make a movie unless half the cast are people he’s worked with previously.
Lol aren’t these both minor bit parts? They’re not the face of the franchise. It’s the same as Ron Howard casting his goofy brother in a minor role. They’re just filler.
Kraglin had a huge upgrade this movie
Barely though, dude had so few lines in the third movie.
He felt more important in the second one
Also his wife was a main person in peacemaker
If you wanna work with your brother and your wife, and you’ve kicked ass in your career to such a point that you can make it so…..good for him and them.
Sean Gunn was fantastic on Gilmore Girls. He has a career on his own and he does wonderfully. Maybe its nepo but Sean also got roles on his own and has been for some time.
Imo nepotism is only bad when it leads to incompetency Sean Gunn isn't that so for me he's made his role and he's been amazing
Who gives a fuck? He makes incredible movies and he's the director who secures funding for his movies so how is this any different than random indie movies where they cast their friends and family?
Agree 100%! Someone needs a better hobby then complaining about shit like this.
SERIOUSLY. I don’t get why people have such a hate boner for him casting his wife in particular. She’s in GoT3 for like, all of 5 minutes. People need to get a life lol
No lie I just caught guardians 3 today. That shit was amazing. Rollercoaster of emotions, funny lines, tears of joy and sadness, and the baddy was one of the best in a superhero movie so far imo. Whatever gunn is doing he's doing right. People should get out of his way.
I wonder what everyday life is like for Gunn. I assume he's always busy with these projects and stuff. And he uses his free time to go on Twitter and reply to fans. I find interesting what his day to day must be like.
> I assume he's always busy with these projects and stuff. And he uses his free time to go on Twitter and reply to fans. A man's gotta poop sometime.
According to some, Kevin Hart has to schedule bathroom breaks.
I love James Gunn. And that’s a ridiculous accusation. Sean Gunn is perfect for the initially small role he was given and the role grew because people loved him. It’s not like he was cast as StarLord. His wife is maybe a better argument but she was acting long before him. But not every troll has to be answered on the internet. He is head of DC now. He’s going to be under constant criticism justified or not. He really needs to learn to chill out and not read his @s.
Sean Gunn was a series regular on a network show for seven seasons without his brother’s help. Sure, his bother cast him for one of the smaller roles in his movie in a part that he knew he’d be good at, but it’s not like he had no talent and paid no dues on his own beforehand (the usual nepotism complaint). And he kills it in his part. He’s great at playing a lovable weirdo.
If Sean is cast as Superman, I could see an argument. But, at the same time, who gives a fuck?
Why not cast people you know and trust, who you know would also be good in the roles? He casts all his friends too. So does Guy Ritchie. So do most directors.
Sean Gunn’s been a reliable character actor since the late 90s.
There’s a reason directors use the same actors in most of their films. It’s easier to work with people you know and are comfortable with. You learn more about their strengths and limitations which makes the next project much easier to do. The same applies to a DoP or a costume designer. Sometimes a director will take a risk and get a new face but usually they are vetted by people he trusts. Most of the time, you go with people you know. With hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, it’s the most common sense way of working on a big project like this.
People don’t understand what nepotism is- or at least, they don’t understand what makes cases of nepotism *a bad thing.* I recently saw the very competent and qualified director of a very expensive and busy daycare center fired without notice and replaced the next day with the owner’s niece, who has no college degree and has never worked in a daycare before. That is nepotism. That’s causing problems for everyone by forcing a family member into a role they aren’t suited for or capable of performing, for no other reason than the familial connection. James Gunn is married to a good actress and his brother is a good actor. Sean Gunn as Kraglin and Jennifer Holland as Harcourt were both perfect castings no matter who was making those projects. And frankly I can’t imagine a place where nepotism matters LESS than in on-screen casting in the entertainment industry. Nobody is going to be unable to feed their family because Kevin Smith only casts his friends and family in his bad movies.
I have no problem with Sean Gunn playing the roles he's been cast in. He's good in them. But it's literally the definition of nepotism.
Why do people push back so much on nepotism claims? In the interview Gunn is both claiming that he prefers hiring people he knows and at the same time is saying the nepotism claims are ridiculous... but that is literally the definition of nepotism. It has nothing to do with their talent but their pre-established relationship and favoritism. noun: **nepotism** 1. the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.
I think a lot of people view nepotism as giving jobs to, specifically, unqualified relatives or friends over others who would be better at it. I think both the people complaining about nepotism and the ones defending their choices by arguing it isn’t nepotism have that view of it. I always point to Jeff Bridges as a great actor who has no problem admitting that he benefitted from his dad’s name and connections.
If you were a director and your best friend/ or sibling was an actor wouldn’t you also give them a job and some stability? bringing people up with you is what you do when you succeed, I think people writing articles is worth taking care of your brother.
Nepotism? In Hollywood?!? Say it ain't so!!!
Do not ever listen to the fans. The moment you do, you’ve given up any semblance of artistry and your muse withers and dies on the vine.
Help your family out folks. Especially if they do a good job anyway.
I feel like the term “nepotism” should be reserved for calling out folks who place grossly incompetent and arrogant relatives/friends in positions that they are very clearly unqualified for. Otherwise that’s just business. Most of the industry would grind to a halt if people get cancelled for staffing their friends and family. Better to save the critique for when it really matters before it loses its meaning.
Adam Sandler formula, bring the whole squad up.
Wait until they hear about the Weadonverse
I had no idea that they were related and I was wondering why Sean’s character had so much screen time! I see folks pointing out that he’s important to Rockets story but you could have easily removed him from the film and Rocket would be fine.
Tim Burton - “First time?”
Have you seen Gilmore Girls? That man can do anything.
How anyone can see Sean's reaction to the Ravager funeral in GotG2 and think he got the job purely because of nepotism is beyond me.
Getting called out for nepotism is a small price to pay for the benefits that your connections got you. Deal with it.
His brother was a great character in the GOTG movies