With the first Guardians of the Galaxy film, Chris Pratt became one of the biggest names in Hollywood. That film’s success propelled his career and he became a sought-after name, participating in films such as Jurassic World and Magnificent Seven.
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And while his role in was central to the first film, it is ultimately a team affair. And Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2—the 2nd Most Anticipated Film as voted by ComicBook.com readers—will do more to utilize the group of people he’s surrounded himself with and become his surrogate family.
Director James Gunn spoke to Cinema Blend about how the new film will give the other characters clear motivations and personal stakes in their mission to save the galaxy from a new threat. It won’t wholly dwell on Pratt’s role as Star-Lord, who helps introduce the audience to the alien settings and themes in Guardians of the Galaxy.
“That’s the first thing people say when they see the movie,” Gunn said. “The first movie was about Peter Quill, and the second movie has every single character have a complete arc, a complete story. They each learn something. It’s a story about Peter Quill, with his father, but also his abusive step-father, Yondu.”
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He focused on the daughters of Thanos and aspects of their bond that were only hinted at in the first film being explored in the new movie.
“It’s about Nebula’s relationship with her sister, Gamora, and how that’s not all that we saw in the first movie. It’s a lot deeper and more complicated than that. We thought in the first movie that Gamora was the good guy, and Nebula’s the bad guy, but that really isn’t the whole story,” Gunn elaborated.
And Rocket‘s emotional pain was briefly explored in a few touching scenes, and that will be more fleshed out as well in the new film.
“I think it’s a story about this poor little Rocket, who is in search of a father and in search of a somebody to give a shit, who cannot find it – and maybe does a little bit with Michael Rooker’s character [Yondu].”
Gunn included Drax and Mantis as a pairing, indicating that we might see the Destroyer’s familial instincts play a key role in their relationship.
“It’s about Dave Bautista and Mantis together, who become on the one hand close friends, and then on the other hand she’s a surrogate daughter for the daughter that was murdered.”
At the heart of it all is the new version of fan-favorite character Groot. After sacrificing himself in the first film, the character is now in a smaller, child-like form.
“And of course Baby Groot’s relationship with all of them, they are the worst parents in the entire world! Who else brings a two-year-old son into a giant battle with a giant monster? Terrible parents! And maybe Gamora and Rocket are better than the other two. The other two are terrible. All of those things come together in a way that seems pretty magical.”
As the film’s director, Gunn has a clear idea (as he should) of where each character needs to be and where they’re going. And Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 should make for a much more entertaining film being clearly defined in such a way. Let’s just hope it doesn’t lose the clear focus from the first film in its attempt to tell a broader story, and retains the charm that made Guardians of the Galaxy an instant classic.
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MORE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 NEWS:
·Chris Pratt On Star Lord’s Evolution In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2.
·Huge Collection of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Promo Art
·One Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Scene Got Cut Already Says James Gunn
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.
