Michael Rooker On Yondu’s Surprising Key Roles In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has officially opened in theaters worldwide. In doing so, the film […]

November 9, 2017, 5:53pm

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has officially opened in theaters worldwide. In doing so, the film has racked up over $145 million domestically in its first weekend and topped $425 million worldwide.

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In collecting those massive dollars, the film has introduced the world to a whole new batch of characters which will be developed further down the line in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but also revealed an entirely different side of Yondu Udonta by comparison to the hardened, sarcastic Ravager we met in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

ComicBook.com had the chance to sit down with Yondu actor Michael Rooker for an exclusive interview about his important role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Check it out in the video above or read on but, be warned, spoilers ahead!
(Photo: Marvel Entertainment )

The Classic Roster

Before Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 came to an end, it had introduced the classic roster of Guardians as known by Marvel Comics fans consisting of names like Starhawk, Charlie-27, Mainframe, and Martinex.

The first appearance of the original bunch included a tease of history between Sylvestor Stallone’s Starhawk and Rooker’s Yondu as the two had an argument outside of a bar. Starhawk had banished Yondu from the Ravagers for breaking their code, though it did not appear to be an easy decision.

Rooker was just as excited as anybody to be a part of the classic roster’s introduction.

“I dug it,” Rooker said. “It was like, ‘Dude!’ And I was so happy it was Stallone so I was like, ‘Yeah, man!’ I mean, we have history together, so it’s perfect. It’s perfect.”

Being Quill’s Dad

The biggest reveal for Yondu in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was that he was, as Drax thought all along, Peter Quill’s dad. Though there was no biological tie between them, Yondu played the role of father to Quill after snatching him up from Earth when his mother died in the late ’80s.

While Quill and Yondu will both say the boy was never handed over to Ego because he was small and good for stealing things, Rooker has a more personal explanation which fits Yondu’s ending.

“It was a gig,” Rooker said. “I was to pick up the kid and bring him to Ego, right? I decided not to because I find out things about [Ego] that I don’t really agree with and I don’t like so, hence my opinion of him being a jackass! So, I keep the little guy and I like him. He’s got spunk.”

“In the beginning, I think I use him and then I begin to really, really enjoy and like him.”