The animal rights organization has singled out the blockbuster filmmaker, who stepped in last year as co-head of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, for his use of CGI animals like Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. The third installment of the Marvel Studios franchise came out in May and has since grossed upward of $845 million at the global box office. It now ranks No. 4 on the year’s highest-grossing films.Furthermore, Gunn has promoted the slogan “Adopt. Never shop” when referring to pet adoption. He adopted his dog Ozu in May 2022, and has regularly shared moments of his home life with the dog for his three million Instagram followers. “Less than two months ago, Ozu, after spending his whole life outside in a horde of 50 dogs, would hide from me, wouldn’t let me touch him, & wouldn’t eat, drink, or pee in front of me,” Gunn wrote in July 2022. “Today this is his face when he sees me & he doesn’s leave my side.”“By telling the story of the millions of vulnerable animals abused in experiments, James Gunn has shown himself to be a true animal guardian,” praised PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA is delighted to honor him for encouraging exactly what the world needs: empathy for all living beings.”Previous recipients of PETA’s Person of the Year trophy include James Cromwell, Billie Eilish, Joaquin Phoenix, Pope Francis, Oprah Winfrey and Anjelica Huston.
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