With each new installment, the Marvel Cinematic Universe grows with prestige as it attracts bigger names to participate in filming their latest movies. Though the productions have balanced between fostering new talent while taking some mid-level actors, Hollywood legends such as Robert Redford, Michael Douglas, and Glenn Close have lent Marvel Studios a certain amount of cachet.
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Sylvester Stallone is just the latest established actor to contribute to the shared universe, appearing alongside Kurt Russell in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
The actor received a resurgence to his career after returning to the Rocky franchise with Rocky Balboa and then Creed, as well as kicking off a new action franchise with the Expendables. And now he’s appearing in a superhero movie for the first time, though some might argue that his turn as the Rambo series’ titular character is also a superhero character.
While speaking at a press event promoting the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2—alongside Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Dave Bautista, and producer Kevin Feige—the ’80s action film icon revealed why he decided to appear in the sequel to Marvel’s first cosmic odyssey.
Stallone said at the press conference (via Inside The Magic):
Actually, it was pretty painless. It was interesting because I love [Marvel] films, but I haven’t ventured into the genre, so it was quite an experience. When I walked on the set, [I saw] robots and things, a woman who was seven feet tall, and everything else. I thought, ‘This is great. This is a great vacation. It’s better than being up a tree in Burma,’ you know what I mean?
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Stallone is heavily rumored to play one of the original Guardians of the Galaxy from the comics, Starhawk. Though the character hails from the future in the source material, in the film he is said to be the leader of the Ravagers, putting his character at odds with Michael Rooker’s Yondu.
That confrontation could put Yondu on the path to joining the MCU’s Guardians, while also hinting at Starhawk’s trajectory toward heroics in another future installment.
Could we see any other potential Guardians from the older comics, such as Vance Astro AKA Major Victory? We’ll find out when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 premieres in theaters on May 5.
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Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.
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).
