The Walking Dead

Michael Rooker Reveals Who He Likes More Between Merle Or Yondu

Don’t let the blue-skin and fin fool you; Guardians of the Galaxy’s Yondu Udonta, the leader of […]

Don’t let the blue-skin and fin fool you; Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Yondu Udonta, the leader of the Ravagers, and The Walking Dead‘s Merle Dixon, have more in common than just Michael Rooker playing them. They’re both volatile, intimidating, and self-absorbed characters, yet as you get to know them better, you realize that their inner core hasn’t fully-rotted away. For Merle, the connection he had with his younger brother, Daryl, kept him from turning completely to the dark-side. As for Yondu, had a strong connection with Peter Quill/Star-Lord, having raised him as his own and teaching the human how to survive in a very alien environment.

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Today, during the Guardians of the Galaxy panel at Heroes & Villains Fan Fest, a fan asked Rooker which was more fun to play: Merle or Yondu? “Merle was okay,” Rooker replied. “Yondu was okay. Yondu paid more money. I have a lot more fun playing Yondu. And I didn’t have to dodge rattlesnakes and pick ticks off my body but there’s just something out of being a guy with a knife as a hand… The first time I tried on the hand, I was putting on my jacketโ€ฆI stabbed the wardrobe guy in the belly. It didn’t go in or anything but it was like poking the Pillsbury Doughboy.”

Rooker also had a costume malfunction on the set of Guardians of the Galaxy. “[Yondu’s] arrow was just as dangerous,” Rooker said. “As I’m walking, all the sudden I’m stuck and I look and I’m stuck up somebody’s wardrobe.”

Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues 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).

More GOTG2 news: Guardians of the Galaxy 2: James Gunn Says Drax is the Funniest Character / Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Director Had No Backup Plan If Fox Wouldn’t Trade Ego / Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Reshoots Start

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