Chris Pratt still struggling with James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy firing

Cape Town - Chris Pratt has shared that he scrapped a string of press interviews at San Diego Comic-Con last month because he was too shell-shocked by the firing of Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn.

Disney fired Gunn in July over a series of offensive messages posted on Twitter several years ago.

Since then fans have signed a petition and the cast of the franchise have written an open letter calling for him to be reinstated. 

Variety reported last week that Disney is sticking to their decision and will not be rehiring Gunn after the director met with studio chairman Alan Horn.

According to sources the meeting was civil and professional.

Reacting to the news, Dave Bautista who plays Drax tweeted: "Thanks @Disney. Making America great again." 

Thanks ?@Disney? !! Making America great again! ???? https://t.co/t6A4030xkS

— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) August 17, 2018

A new director is yet to be named while filming for the third instalment is planned for early next year.