James Gunn’s first Guardians of the Galaxy movie was kind of revolutionary, both in terms of the way that regular movie goers reacted to it and the way that comic book fans reacted to regular movie goers. The popularity of previous movies in the Marvel canon was unexpected but the popularity of GotG was unprecedented. This was a relatively unknown cast of characters taken from a fairly obscure series of comics, including a talking racoon and a tree. And yet, it was ridiculously popular. Perhaps one of the most well received comic book movies of recent years. Avengers: Age of Ultron, it most definitely was not.
The much-anticipated sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 looks like it’s going to be more of the same, although fans of the entire franchise will be eagerly awaiting the post-credits scene, aware that some of the characters will be appearing in the new Avengers movie, scheduled for next year and currently in production with filming having begun last month. According to the Hollywood Reporter, an early version of the movie scored higher with test screen audiences than any other Marvel movie to date, taking home a perfect 100. Insiders told the publication that this unprecedented score had beaten previous high scores set by Iron Man 3 and Avengers Assemble, both of which were in the ’90s.
There are ten movies scheduled to come out in phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will be the third of those movies, following on from Captain America: Civil War and Doctor Strange. It’s anticipated to arrive in movie theatres on May 5, 2017 and will be followed by Jon Watts’ Spider-Man: Homecoming and Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok.
The three trailers that have already been released don’t tell us much. However, some bits and pieces have escaped from the tight stronghold that is Marvel Studio. Famous for keeping a tight lid on their in-development projects though they are, various interviews with folks involved with the production have shed some light on possible plot points and themes. It’s set approximately two months after the last movie and will focus on ideas about family, where you come from and how that affects who you are.
Chris Pratt reprises his role as Peter Quill aka Star-Lord. The end of the last movie suggested that he will be the person who the Guardians are now looking to for guidance, which seems like a terrible idea given his inexperience and the fact that he’s clearly still in love with Gamora (Zoe Saldana). A slightly more personal story arc for Star-Lord will be coming to terms with being half alien, returning to that family motif and ideas about the self. Marvel has never shied away from tackling big ideas and concepts, albeit with a tongue in cheek sense of playfulness.
All of your favourite characters from the first movie are also back, including Bradley Cooper as Rocket and Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, who is probably the most Marvel character ever created, given his ability to add both comedy and drama in equal measure. And Baby Groot is now a thing! Enough said, really.
Here’s trailers 1-3 and a preview that’s just been released. Are you excited for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2? Let us know!
