Okay, sorry for the sensational title. It’s really not like that. I just happened to have finished reading some more Blogster Doom jokes and felt a little Click-Baity.
I just returned from an event on the Disney lot celebrating the release next week of James Gunn’s beloved Guardians of the Galaxy on Digital HD (and on Blu-Ray December 9th ) in which he did a short Q&A. One of the questions asked about whether the sequel would explore Peter’s origin, alluded to in the first movie, and whether or not it would parallel the Brian Michael Bendis penned Guardians storyline. In response, James said that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a lot like the Ultimate Marvel universe and that they can be completely different things. He doesn’t have to make Peter’s father the leader of the Spartax Empire and that he’s not very fond of the name “J’son” which got a few laughs. To paraphrase Gunn: “there are things that work in the comics that don’t really work on screen” and that sticking to the comics origin might be a little too “Star Wars”.
James also made it clear that he had full reign with the Guardians sequel and that the weirder his ideas were for the first film the more Marvel seemed enthusiastic to go in that direction. Considering this is my favorite Marvel movie so far, I’m glad they put that much trust in his unique voice! He didn’t confirm that the sequel would actually address Peter’s origin, just that he knows he doesn’t intend to stick to the comics. In fact, future films that he makes at Marvel may not be Guardians films at all but he did show a fondness for the galactic corner of the universe. James also stated that what happens in the Guardians films may have zero impact on Marvel’s Phase 3 and the events in Avengers: Infinity War 1 & 2.
Of the Blu-Ray bonus features shown to us, the deleted scenes were short but definitely the highlight. One of the best scenes was an exchange between Gamora and Nebula on the Dark Astor, shortly after Ronan tells Gamora to find the Orb. It helps illuminate their tortured relationship with each other and being raised by Thanos and has a lot of character and information but was cut early because there was just “too much time on the Dark Astor and it slowed down the first act”.
Two of the later cut scenes involved Rocket and Groot arguing by the fountain before trying to capture Peter (which was hilarious) and a scene with Gamora shortly after leaving the Dark Astor in which she kills Ronan’s troops that were sent to accompany her. Pretty great stuff that sets up all of the characters meeting on their own. Another hilarious cut scene involved John C. Reilly’s Nova Corps member trying to fix one of the busted lights on the front of his jacket.
All in all, I can’t wait to rematch this film on Blu-Ray. I love how unique the movie is and how much it showcases the diverse aspects of the Marvel universe we all grew up with. The Behind The Scenes extra on designing Groot and Rocket really shows the care and thought that went into bringing these more challenging characters to screen and why I think they ended up so relatable (even if they’re a talking raccoon and plant!)
I definitely recommend each of you seek out this release for yourselves next week, not only to relive an awesome film but also for a pretty entertaining set of extras. I’m glad I attended. Thanks for the invite, Marvel!