How Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Sets Up Avengers: Infinity War

With only a handful of movies remaining between fans and Avengers: Infinity War, each addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be a big step towards the culmination which is all of the heroes taking on Thanos.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is no exception.

Though the new film which sees the cosmic heroes come together for their second cinematic adventure and tells a complete story within itself, it also takes steps towards the Guardians realizing every fans’ dream of crossing paths with the Avengers.

Full spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 follow.

Common Enemy

In the wake of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, a number of characters within its film have a common enemy.

By the end of 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Drax told Gamora that Ronan was “only a puppet.” In fact, it is Thanos he has to kill. Now, Nebula has told both Gamora and Kraglin something similar. She wants Thanos dead, as does Gamora.

With Gamora, Nebula, and Drax aboard the kill Thanos train, the rest of the Guardians will inevitably be roped into the battle. For Avengers: Infinity War, it is unclear how the Avengers will be pitted against the Mad Titan but his hatred towards the human race on Earth spawned when they managed to defeat Loki and his Chitauri army. Thanos supplied the army and Infinity Stone within Loki’s scepter.

Heading into Infinity War, the common enemy has been realized.

Earthbound

With Peter Quill’s daddy issues finally resolved and the truth behind his mother’s death revealed, the Earthling may finally feel comfortable enough to return to the planet which last offered him the pain of seeing his mother die. 

The Guardians may very well have their first encounter with the Avengers in the cosmos — no one knows what’s going to happen in Thor: Ragnarok just yet — but the more sensible assumption right now is that Quill will set a course for Earth. 

The Avengers are unaware of many of the planets which the Guardians call home. They have no knowledge of Xandar, the Sovereign, Ego the Living Planet, or any other cosmic entities. The Guardians, on the other hand, have full knowledge of Terra.

Celestials

Guardians of the Galaxy made the first tease of Celestials back in 2014 when the Collector explained the Infinity Stones to the Guardians. 

Since, several have been introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and someone was seen wearing a Celestial costume in the Thor: Ragnarok trailer. Introduced in Vol. 2 was not only Ego the Living Planet (now, likely dead and gone forever), but also the Watchers. Though The Watchers vow never to interfere with events outside of themselves, they will inevitably have information regarding Thanos and his plans.

Furthermore, the tease of Eternity, creator of the Celestials, came when Peter’s eyes were filled with stars and he whispered the entity’s name.

While the Celestials may not help the good guys take on the Mad Titan, further exploration of their origins and value to the Marvel Cinematic Universe will inevitably be explored during the Infinity War saga. 

More Guardians

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is written and directed by James Gunn (Slither). The film marks the return of the original Guardians, including Chris Pratt (Jurassic World) as Peter Quill/Star-Lord; Zoe Saldana (Star Trek Into Darkness) as Gamora; Dave Bautista (Spectre) as Drax; Vin Diesel (Furious 7) as the voice of Groot; Bradley Cooper (American Sniper) as the voice of Rocket; Michael Rooker (Jumper) as Yondu; Karen Gillan (The Big Short) as Nebula; and Sean Gunn (Gilmore Girls) as Kraglin. New cast members include Pom Klementieff (Oldboy), Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby, Everest), Chris Sullivan (The Knick, The Drop) and Kurt Russell (The Hateful Eight, The Thing).

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on May 5, 2017.