While the world of social media can be an incredible platform for anyone - from everyday folks to world-famous celebrities - to express their views on any topic available, it's a dangerous tool if not used carefully and thoughtfully. Over the past few years in particular and through these difficult times that the world is currently pushing through, social media many times has revealed the worst sides of some of Hollywood's most popular names.
In the world of comic book shows and movies, fans have very recently experienced the James Gunn debacle after old tweets originally got him fired from Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3. The result of this was him getting rehired for that film and ultimately also hired to direct DC's The Suicide Squad. Another unfortunate social media post uncovering has just been brought to light today corresponding with one of the most popular TV shows currently running.
NEWS
According to a release from the Hollywood Reporter, Hartley Sawyer, who portrays Ralph Dibny / Elongated Man in CW's The Flash, has been fired from the series after a slew of racist and misogynist remarks from 2014 and earlier were uncovered on his Twitter account. Sawyer's tweets included homophobic language and contained references to sexual assault, and the firing was confirmed by both the CW and the show's producers.
Sawyer shared the following apology for his past statements via Instagram: "My words, irrelevant of being meant with an intent of humor, were hurtful, and unacceptable. I am ashamed I was capable of these really horrible attempts to get attention at that time. I regret them deeply. This was not acceptable behavior. These were words I threw out at the time with no thought or recognition of the harm my words could do, and now have done today."
WHAT THIS MEANS
The world is going through its most challenging period in a long time dealing with the riots and protests coming from the wake of the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor killings, and this just adds a new level of sadness to the current state of affairs. As people try to come together and lift one another up, remarks like these are incredibly disparaging and present yet another hurdle for the public to push through.
Hartley first appeared on The Flash as Ralph Dibny / Elongated Man in Season 4 before joining the show's regular core cast for two more seasons, appearing in 50 episodes. There is no word as to whether his character will be recast or written out of the show completely for Season 7 and beyond.
