Tag: Guardians of the Galaxy

  • ‘Loneliness is the centre of Guardians of the Galaxy’

    Express News Service

    In 2012, at the height of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s popularity, Kevin Feige took the stage at the San Diego Comic-Con and announced that they would next be making a film about a talking raccoon and a sentient tree. Of course, there were some understandable concerns that it would spell the beginning of the end for the franchise. 11 years after first meeting this ragtag group of space mercenaries, director James Gunn is back with the third instalment of the much-loved franchise.

    While it has been confirmed that the upcoming film will end the story for this group of Guardians, Gunn reveals that the trilogy has always been about Rocket Racoon. “Having Rocket at the heart of this story was always my intention,” he says, before elaborating, “This is a little animal who was taken and turned into something he shouldn’t be and felt completely ostracised and alienated from every other life form in the galaxy and was angry because of that, and he is angry because he’s really scared. That loneliness is the centre of Guardians of the Galaxy.”

    However, loneliness isn’t necessarily always about being alone. Sometimes, overcoming depressing feelings of loneliness could just be about learning to be by yourself in peace. Gunn is tackling that facet of loneliness as well, as evinced by Chris Pratt’s answer to what Star-Lord aka Peter Quill goes through in Volume 3. “In the first movie, he was a young man learning to care about something other than himself. And then the second film was about Quill wanting to learn more about himself. I think the arc of the third movie is Quill learning to be okay on his own and learning.”

    Gunn reiterates that point succinctly by saying, “The first film is the story of the mother, the second film is the story of the father, and this film is the story of the self.” A major part of Chris Pratt’s character was tied to his relationship with Gamora, played by Zoe Saldana in the film. After her character was killed by Thanos in Avengers: Endgame and a version of Gamora from the past was brought to the present, fans were left wondering how the character, who now has no memory of her love for Peter Quill, was going to be handled in the third film.

    However, Pratt manages to assuage fears regarding Gamora’s treatment in the film. “Gamora is one of the best-written characters I’ve ever seen, and I love the arc that she goes through in this third instalment. It will really flip people on their heads and defy their expectations as to how you should end a trilogy with two people who have been in love before.”

    According to the director, GOTG Vol.3 will be more emotional than the previous films, and while endings are always emotional in a story, the heaviness of its closure has affected the cast as well. Chris Pratt says, “The fact that I get to be part of something that’s just so universally loved and will be living on screens long after I’m no longer living on this planet, is remarkable.”  

    While the rest of the cast has echoed Pratt’s feelings numerous times, GOTG Vol.3 might be a tad bit more personal to one man, more than the others, and that is its writer-director James Gunn, revealing that Racoon carries a part of him. 

    In 2012, at the height of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s popularity, Kevin Feige took the stage at the San Diego Comic-Con and announced that they would next be making a film about a talking raccoon and a sentient tree. Of course, there were some understandable concerns that it would spell the beginning of the end for the franchise. 11 years after first meeting this ragtag group of space mercenaries, director James Gunn is back with the third instalment of the much-loved franchise.

    While it has been confirmed that the upcoming film will end the story for this group of Guardians, Gunn reveals that the trilogy has always been about Rocket Racoon. “Having Rocket at the heart of this story was always my intention,” he says, before elaborating, “This is a little animal who was taken and turned into something he shouldn’t be and felt completely ostracised and alienated from every other life form in the galaxy and was angry because of that, and he is angry because he’s really scared. That loneliness is the centre of Guardians of the Galaxy.”

    However, loneliness isn’t necessarily always about being alone. Sometimes, overcoming depressing feelings of loneliness could just be about learning to be by yourself in peace. Gunn is tackling that facet of loneliness as well, as evinced by Chris Pratt’s answer to what Star-Lord aka Peter Quill goes through in Volume 3. “In the first movie, he was a young man learning to care about something other than himself. And then the second film was about Quill wanting to learn more about himself. I think the arc of the third movie is Quill learning to be okay on his own and learning.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Gunn reiterates that point succinctly by saying, “The first film is the story of the mother, the second film is the story of the father, and this film is the story of the self.” A major part of Chris Pratt’s character was tied to his relationship with Gamora, played by Zoe Saldana in the film. After her character was killed by Thanos in Avengers: Endgame and a version of Gamora from the past was brought to the present, fans were left wondering how the character, who now has no memory of her love for Peter Quill, was going to be handled in the third film.

    However, Pratt manages to assuage fears regarding Gamora’s treatment in the film. “Gamora is one of the best-written characters I’ve ever seen, and I love the arc that she goes through in this third instalment. It will really flip people on their heads and defy their expectations as to how you should end a trilogy with two people who have been in love before.”

    According to the director, GOTG Vol.3 will be more emotional than the previous films, and while endings are always emotional in a story, the heaviness of its closure has affected the cast as well. Chris Pratt says, “The fact that I get to be part of something that’s just so universally loved and will be living on screens long after I’m no longer living on this planet, is remarkable.”  

    While the rest of the cast has echoed Pratt’s feelings numerous times, GOTG Vol.3 might be a tad bit more personal to one man, more than the others, and that is its writer-director James Gunn, revealing that Racoon carries a part of him. 

  • ‘I Am Groot’ animated series to release on Disney Plus in August

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Animated series “I Am Groot”, based on the titular character from “Guardians of the Galaxy” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is set to start streaming on Disney Plus from August 10.

    Disney Plus on Sunday released the first poster of the show, which consists of original shorts from Marvel Studios, on Twitter.

    “I Am Groot, Marvel Studios’ Original shorts, is streaming August 10 on #DisneyPlus,” the streamer captioned the still of the upcoming animated series.

    I Am Groot, Marvel Studios’ Original shorts, coming August 10 to @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/EODOFPLbt1
    — Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) June 5, 2022
    Vin Diesel will return to voice Groot, a tree-like humanoid in the MCU, and “Guardians” director James Gunn serves as one of the show’s executive producers.

    According to Collider, the brief official synopsis reads that the series will follow “Baby Groot’s glory days growing up, and getting into trouble among the stars.”

    Ryan Little serves as head writer on “I Am Groot” with Kirsten Lepore attached as director.

    The audience last saw Groot as an adolescent in “Avengers: Endgame”, which was released in 2019.

  • Chris Pratt, Katherine Schwarzenegger welcome second baby

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Hollywood star Chris Pratt and his wife, author Katherine Schwarzenegger have become parents for the second time.

    Pratt shared a joint statement on Instagram to announce the arrival of their newborn daughter, Eloise.

    “We are so excited to announce the birth of our second daughter, Eloise Christina Schwarzenegger Pratt. Mama and baby are doing well. We feel beyond blessed and grateful,” they said in the statement on Sunday.

    Pratt, 42, and Schwarzenegger, 32, became parents to their first child, daughter Lyla in August 2020. Last December, multiple sources confirmed to People magazine that the couple will welcome their second baby in 2022.

    The “Guardians of the Galaxy” star also shares nine-year-old son Jack with his former wife, actor Anna Faris. Pratt and Schwarzenegger tied the knot in a private ceremony in Montecito, California in June 2019.

  • James Gunn wraps up ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3’, teases appearance of ‘unannounced actor’

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: Writer and director James Gunn had announced the wrap on ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ on May 7.

    According to People, James Gunn announced that the filming for the third (and final) instalment of the Guardians of the Galaxy series has come to an end.

    The photo shows Gunn, 55, sitting next to the cast members of the ‘Marvel’ movie, including Chris Pratt, Pom Klementieff, Gunn’s brother Sean Gunn, Karen Gillan, and Dave Bautista.

    Gunn wrote in the caption, “And that’s a picture wrap on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.” “I love this amazing cast & crew & their beautiful talent & kind souls. I’m a lucky human to have them on the journey with me for nearly a decade,” added the director.

    James also teased, “And yes Zoe (Saldana) was with us but the only picture I have with her has an unannounced actor with us!”

    The first two films in the series Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) have generated total revenues of over USD 1.6 billion worldwide. The final instalment of the franchise ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ will premiere on May 5, 2023. 

  • Filmmaker James Gunn engaged to his longtime partner Jennifer Holland 

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Filmmaker James Gunn is engaged to his longtime partner and actor Jennifer Holland. The “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise director posted a photo on Instagram on Sunday of Holland sipping from a mug while showing off a diamond ring on her left ring finger.

    The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the post is an engagement announcement. The couple have been together since 2015.

    Earlier in the day, Holland also posted a photo of her and Gunn on Instagram with a rainbow behind the couple, with the caption: “Happiness.

    “Gunn, 55, and Holland have also worked together on the director’s version of “The Suicide Squad”, in which she played Emilia Harcourt, a role she recently reprised in his “Peacemaker” series opposite John Cena. The 34-year-old actor has also starred in TV series such as “Sun Records” and “American Horror Story”.

    Gunn was previously married to “The Office star” Jenna Fischer. They split in 2007 after six years of marriage.

  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 begins filming

    By Express News Service

    The third film in Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy has begun shooting. Director James Gunn took to Twitter to announce the news. The filmmaker tweeted a picture from the set, with the original cast including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, and Sean Gunn, as well as the latest addition, Will Poulter. As known already, Poulter will play Adam Warlock—a character that was teased in the previous film’s post-credit scene.

    Surprisingly, the picture also features actor Chukwudi Iwuji, who is set to appear in Gunn’s upcoming Peacemaker show. However, his connection with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is unknown. “It’s been a strange & long & at times challenging journey to get here, but the obstacles along the way have only made this moment more blissful. Back on set with my Guardians family for the first day of shooting #gotgvol3,” captioned Gunn.

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, which also stars the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, was first announced in 2017, even before the release of the second film. However, the production of the film hit multiple snags and was delayed until now.

    Notably, Gunn is also working with Marvel to write and direct the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, which will be released in Disney+ in December 2022. He will also serve as an executive producer on I Am Groot, a Disney+ show about the Guardians character. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is slated to hit theatres on May 5, 2023. 

  • Zac Efron to star in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ third installment? James Gunn clears air

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: Actor-singer Zac Efron has been making headlines after it was reported that the star is in talks to join the upcoming film ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’. However, it seems like the rumour mills have got it all wrong.

    ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy’ director James Gunn cleared the air, putting an end to all such reports doing the rounds. On Wednesday, Gunn took to Twitter to shoot down several casting rumours for the third installment of the franchise, including one about the addition of Efron.

    He tweeted, “There is no casting underway for Vol. 3. And in what world would I only cast a “Caucasian” if the character has gold skin? And if I wanted a Zac Efron type wouldn’t I go to Zac Efron? Where do you get this nonsense?”

    There is no casting underway for Vol. 3. And in what world would I only cast a “Caucasian” if the character has gold skin? And if I wanted a Zac Efron type wouldn’t I go to Zac Efron? Where do you get this nonsense? https://t.co/dxZJUMvtVs
    — James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 10, 2021

    Adam Warlock has been one of the highly-anticipated characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). His character was teased in the mid-credits scenes in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.’ While fans expected him to make his big-screen debut in the ‘Avengers’ franchise, reports later claimed that he would possibly join in the next phase of the MCU.

    Gunn quickly cleared up quite a few falsehoods about the upcoming movie. And while this puts many actors of colours in the running, actor Seth Rogen wasn’t too excited about the news.

    The actor joked under the tweet, “S–t I was gonna submit myself for the Zac Efron type.” Josh Gad was also saddened by the announcement, adding, “This was not the way I wanted to find out I’m out of the running for Adam Warlock.”

    As per E! News, Gunn was rehired by Disney to direct the project in March 2019 after he was let go the previous year when offensive and indefensible tweets from his past resurfaced online.

    At that time, ‘The Suicide Squad’ director took to social media to share his thoughts on being given a second chance by the company.

    “I am tremendously grateful to every person out there who has supported me over the past few months. I am always learning and will continue to work at being the best human being I can be,” he had tweeted.

    The statement continued, “I deeply appreciate Disney’s decision and I am excited to continue making films that investigate the ties of love that bind us all. I have been, and continue to be incredibly humbled by your love and support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Love to you all.”

  • Karen Gillan confirms Nebula will be back in ‘Thor: Love And Thunder’

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Actor Karen Gillan is set to reprise her “Guardians of the Galaxy” role in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe project “Thor: Love And Thunder”.

    The Scottish actor, who has played intergalactic warrior Nebula in two ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ movies as well as ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’, confirmed her casting in the fourth “Thor” film on Instagram in response to a fan question.

    The fan had asked if she had cut her hair to prepare for Nebula and she responded with a “yes”.

    “Cut (her hair) the other day in preparation for Nebula so that we don’t have to, like, get so much hair into the bald cap, because I have so much hair it’s unbelievable, like it’s just so thick,” she said.

    Gillan also revealed that she has reached Sydney, Australia, to shoot for the film and is currently quarantining in a hotel.

    Filmmaker Taika Waititi is directing the upcoming fourth installment, which marks Australian star Chris Hemsworth’s return as the titular superhero.

    Actors Natalie Portman and Tessa Thompson are reprising their roles of Jane Foster and Valkyrie, respectively.

    Hollywood star Christian Bale, Jaimie Alexander and Matt Damon are also part of the cast along with Chris Pratt appearing as his “Guardian of the Galaxy” character Star Lord.

    “Thor: Love and Thunder” is scheduled to be released on May 6, 2022.