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GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOLUME TWO
Starring Chris Pratt (Peter Quill / Star-Lord), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Bradley Cooper (Rocket), Vin Diesel (the voice of Groot II), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Michael Rooker (Yondu), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), Kurt Russel (Ego), and Elizabeth Debicki (Ayesha) with a special appearance by Stan Lee
Directed by James Gunn
Produced by Kevin Feige
Written by James Gunn
Music By Tyler Bates
Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures
Run Time: 2 hours and 17 minutes
World Premier: April 10, 2017, in Tokyo, Japan
Opening Weekend Box Office: $146 million (North America)
Worldwide Box Office: $863 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
Marvel Studios / The Walt Disney Company
Memorable Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two Quotes
“[Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two] feels like a deeper movie than the first one, with two parallel stories moving through it. You got to spend less time getting to know all of the characters and more time seeing what it’s like when the characters interact in a real way. And it was like a real family when the luster has faded a little bit. Now you’re stuck with who you’re stuck with. Then how do you react? How do you respond?” – Chris Pratt
“It was a very, very, very difficult moment for me as a storyteller, because I knew it was the right thing to do. For this father’s love to really show itself, to really be present, that needed to be there. The way the ending interacted with Rocket’s story was incredibly important. And the way it interacted with the sisters’ story was incredibly important. And the way it interacted with Peter Quill being a father to Groot [II] – which is, for me, what the ending of the movie is about – that all worked perfectly.” – James Gunn defending his decision to kill-off the Yondu character.
“It was really moving. James and I have known each other for quite a while now. He was a friend to me while my own father died fairly recently. So that was one of those moments where you read that in the script and you think, ‘I know what I’m gonna have to do on that day.’ The beauty of acting is it’s like playing an instrument, and the instrument is your own capacity to deal with your emotions. It was pretty easy for me to look down at a father figure on a table and go back. You unpack some of the stuff that hopefully you’ve packed away in a healthy way. And you use it like building blocks and play with that. It’s equal parts terrifying and fun and rewarding and scary. And I really like the way that it turned out.” – Chris Pratt discussing the death of Yondu in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two
“I love playing a character that is, first of all, physically really strong. That just feels cool and empowering. And she’s emotionally strong in ways, but also very damaged emotionally. So, she has strengths and weaknesses like any other person. And that’s what’s interesting. I don’t want to play just a strong female. I think we’re at the point now where we need a bit more variety than that. And that is exactly what Marvel [Studios] movies are supplying us with. So that makes me happy.” – Karen Gillan on portraying Nebula within the MCU.
“Stan Lee clearly exists, you know, above and apart from the reality of all the [MCU] films. So, the notion that he could be sitting there on a Cosmic pit stop during the jump gate sequence in Guardians [Vol 2] was something very fun, it says, ‘Wait a minute, he’s the same character who’s popped up in all these films?’” – Kevin Feige commenting on Stan Lee’s Cosmic Cameo with The Watchers in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two
Marvel Studios / The Walt Disney Company
Fun Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two Facts
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two was officially announced by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige at the 2014 San Diego Comic Con with an announced release date of July 28, 2017. At Marvel Studios’ Phase Three Slate reveal at the El Capitan Theater on October 28, 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two was given a new release date of May 5, 2017.
During the Summer of 2015, Director James Gunn turned-in his first script treatment for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two. Gunn sought to use Marvel Character Ego the Living Planet in a prominent way in the film. This provoked Marvel Studios to arrange a trade with 20th Century Fox that would allow Fox to do whatever they wanted with the Negasonic Teenage Warhead character in exchange for Marvel Studios obtaining the film rights to Ego the Living Planet. Negasonic Teenage Warhead went on to receive a substantial makeover for an appearance in 2016’s Deadpool from Fox, while Kurt Russel was cast to portray Ego as Peter Quill’s biological father in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two.
In terms of the chronological release of MCU films, Ego is the first Celestial seen within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The 2021 Marvel Studios film Eternals would greatly expand the cinematic mythology of the Celestials.
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two commenced filming on February 17, 2016. Marvel Studios filmed the majority of Doctor Strange while Guardians Volume Two was in production. Filming took place in Fayetteville, Georgia, Portland, Oregon, and St. Charles, Missouri before wrapping on June 16, 2016.
Director James Gunn confirmed on Twitter that the character affectionately labeled “Baby Groot” is actually the offspring of the Groot seen in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. The first Groot is in fact dead.
The 2023 book Marvel Studios – The Marvel Cinematic universe: An Official Timeline confirmed that along the MCU Timeline (the Sacred Timeline), Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two takes place a few months after the first Guardians film. Guardians of the Galaxy takes place in the Summer of 2014 (after the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier) and Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two takes place in the Fall of 2014 (prior to the I Am Groot shorts).
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two introduces the characters Martinex and Charlie-27 as members of The Ravager Corps that Yondu has fallen out of favor with. In the Marvel comics, those two characters – along with Yondu – were part of the original Guardians of the Galaxy team. Michael Rosenbaum portrayed Martinex while Ving Rhames portrayed Charlie-27. Stakar Ogord / Starhawk joined The Guardians in 1975. He was portrayed by Sylvester Stallone in the film. Aleta Ogord joined The Guardians in 1991. She was portrayed by Michelle Yeoh. Mainframe was added to The Guardians in 1992. That character was voiced by Miley Cyrus in the film.
Stan Lee makes his 15th MCU cameo appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two. Stan is seen wearing a space suit and hanging out with the cosmic entities that are known as The Watchers in the Marvel comics. Marvel Studios made this decision to play-in to a popular fan theory that suggested Stan portrayed the same character in all of his MCU appearances and that he was in fact a Watcher.
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two featured a record five credits scenes. One scene teases the coming of Marvel Comics character Adam Warlock (who eventually arrived in 2023’s Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Three) while another jumps forward in time and shows an aged-up Groot II (this scene takes place on the Sacred Timeline after the I Am Groot shorts and prior to the events seen in Avengers: Infinity War.
On July 23, 2016: Marvel Studios held what was their eighth presentation at San Diego Comic Con. Kevin Feige unveiled a new Marvel Studios logo and opening montage that would accompany forthcoming films to reflect Marvel Studios’ recent split from Marvel Entertainment. Later, a full panel for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two was held in Hall H. Kevin Feige welcomed an enthusiastic James Gunn to the stage, who was then interrupted by a full group of Ravagers in-costume, who delighted in insulting the room. From there, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kurt Russell were welcomed on-stage followed by Michael Rooker, who was in-costume as Yondu.
The first trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two was released in December of 2016 at the Comic Con Experience. The trailer received 81-million views during its first 24-hours of release. A second trailer aired on February 5, 2017, during the NFL’s Super Bowl LI.
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The following songs comprised the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol Two soundtrack heard throughout the film:
“Mr. Blue Sky” (Electric Light Orchestra)
“Fox on the Run” (Sweet)
“Lake Shore Drive” (Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah)
“The Chain” (Fleetwood Mac)
“Bring it on Home to Me” (Sam Cook)
“Southern Nights” (Glen Campbell)
“My Sweet Lord” (George Harrison)
“Brandy – You’re a Fine Girl” (Looking Glass)
“Come a Little Bit Closer” (Jay and the Americans)
“Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang” (Silver)
“Surrender” (Cheap Trick)
“Father and Son” (Cat Stevens)
“Flashlight” (Parliament)
“Guardians Inferno” (The Sneepers featuring David Hasselhoff)
The soundtrack was released as Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2: Awesome Mix Vol 2 and was the eighth best-selling album of 2017 in the United States with 600,000 copies sold and being certified GOLD.
Promotional partners with Marvel Studios for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two included Hasbro, Lego, Funko, GEICO, Ford Motor Company, Dairy Queen, M&M’s, and Doritos.
On August 13, 2017, at the Teen Choice Awards, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two won the Award for Choice Sci-Fi Movie, Chris Pratt won the Award for Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actor, and Zoe Saldana won the Award for Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actress. Guardians Volume Two also won Awards at the Hollywood Film Awards (Best Sound), the Visual Effects Society Awards (Outstanding Visual Cinematography in a Photoreal project), the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Guild (Feature Motion Picture: Best Contemporary Hair Styling), and the Saturn Awards (Best Film Special / Visual Effects).
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two was the eighth highest-grossing film of 2017; one of three Marvel Studios films to crack the Top-10 along with Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok. 2017 was the first time that Marvel Studios ever had three films rank within the Top-10 for a given year. Prior to 2017, Marvel Studios had twice boasted two films within the Top-10 (2013 and 2014).
Marvel Studios / The Walt Disney Company
My Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two Review
I had huge expectations for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two due to my immense love and appreciation for the first Guardians film, and I’ll go ahead and let you know right out the gate here that I loved Guardians Vol 2! It was everything that I hoped it would be as a fan, hitting me emotionally like no MCU film prior to it ever had. It’s crazy that a movie that made me laugh so hard so many times was also the film that made me cry the hardest as well. That’s the movie-making magic of James Gunn though; a director I am a very big fan of, especially when it comes to his contributions to the MCU.
The opening of this film was perfect! Baby Groot happily dancing to Mr. Blue Sky while his teammates battled the inter-dimensional monster known as the Abilisk was so much fun, and this scene was filled with humor and action while being presented beautifully. There were colors flying everywhere and the Abilisk was a visually frightening creature with its sharp teeth and flailing tentacles. It was so great to catch back up with each of these characters after having to wait three long years, and this was a wonderful start to this movie.
The Sovereign Race were an interesting group with their golden hair and skin and intolerance for insults. It turned out that The Sovereign had hired The Guardians to slay the Abilisk, which had been feeding off their sacred and valuable supply of Anulax (Harbulary according to Drax) Batteries. The Guardians took the job in exchange for custody of Nebula, who’d become a prisoner of The Sovereign. Star-Lord’s interactions with Ayesha, the High Priestess of The Sovereign were fun, but Rocket stole the show here with his failed attempts at sarcasm and thievery of the very batteries they’d been hired to defend. Rocket’s actions lead to the first big space fight of the movie as The Sovereign targeted The Guardians. Rocket and Star-Lord’s bickering here had me lost in laughter, and it was during this fight that we got our first glimpse of Kurt Russell’s Ego (the One-inch man” according to Rocket)!
I really enjoyed the scene on Berhert, which was full of more bickering between Rocket and Star-Lord and featured Ego revealing that he was Peter Quill’s biological father. Drax was great with his harassing of Mantis, Rocket was great with his disgust with Drax thinking Yondu was Quill’s biological father, and Kurt Russell and Chris Pratt boasted great initial chemistry together. The ensuing trip to Ego’s planet was mesmerizing! Ego’s Planet is among the most beautiful creations Marvel Studios has ever pulled off. Ego’s story was a lot to follow; the reveal that he was a Celestial and pretty much a god, but Kurt Russell was very likable in these scenes, and his initial bonding with his son Peter was quite moving.
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Meanwhile, on Berhert, Nebula was left with Rocket and Groot II, and Yondu and The Ravagers soon come calling after being hired by Ayesha to avenge The Sovereign. The Ravagers walking into Rocket’s traps was such a fun scene! I delighted in watching Rocket torture them and was surprised by the turn the film took with Taserface ousting Yondu as leader of The Ravagers. The captivity of Rocket, Yondu, and Groot II provided some of the funniest moments in this film for me. I loved Rocket making fun of Taserface and the entire scene with Groot II hating hats was amazing. Underneath all of the laughs though, there is the tragedy of Yondu being forced to watch his friends get murdered and an even deeper cut of Yondu bonding with Rocket while imprisoned. Yondu’s entire demeanor and attitude changes when he learns that Star-Lord has been reunited with Ego, as this information prompts Yondu to pull himself out of his slump and make an escape. It is here where we learn just how deeply Yondu truly cares for Peter Quill, and following an assist from Kraglin, Yondu, Rocket, and Groot II unite to unleash absolute hell upon The Ravagers, and this was a very entertaining scene!
Back on Ego’s planet, Drax and Mantis quietly bond in what is such a moving scene while Nebula arrives to stalk Gamora. The sisters engage in a savage fight after Gamora saves Nebula, and for the first time in their lives, Nebula bests Gamora in combat! This leads into another deep emotional cut as Nebula voices the rage and agony that drive her, admitting that all she ever wanted out of Gamora was a sister. We learn the extent of Thanos’ torture of Nebula, and we realize that these two women really do care about each other behind all the walls they’ve built to hide their true feelings. This makes for another moving and beautiful scene, and we soon get to see Nebula and Gamora work together for the first time, and it really feels earned when that happens! After discovering the countless remains of Ego’s children, Gamora and Nebula rush to find Drax in a panic as the magnitude of who and what Ego really is begins to hit them. Mantis has already come clean with Drax however, and the mission now becomes saving Peter Quill.
Ego’s plan to expand is kind of weird and convoluted, but it’s easy to understand at the same time. He sought life. He found life. And what he found disgusted him. Underwhelmed, Ego set out on a mission to father children that could share in his Celestial power. Ego hired Yondu to bring these children to him, including Peter Quill from Earth. Ego soon discovered that none of his children shared in his power, and when a child failed Ego, Ego killed them. Then, Ego heard of Star-Lord and The Guardians of the Galaxy and Peter’s wielding of an Infinity Stone on Xandar, and this knowledge assured Ego that Peter Quill of Earth was the one he’d all along been looking for. Ego needed Peter to fuel his Universal Expansion, and he nearly won Quill over to his side until he made the mistake of casually mentioning that it had been he who put the tumor that killed Peter’s mother inside her head. At that instant, Ego’s spell over Peter was broken, and whatever bond they’d shared was shattered.
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The end of this film is the kind of penultimate battle fans of Marvel Studios have come to expect in all the good ways. The Guardians of the Galaxy come together complete with Yondu and Nebula and Mantis to stand against Ego the Living Planet and The Sovereign. It’s loud, it’s bright, it’s thrilling, it’s hilarious, and it’s visually stunning! By the time the entire debate over the tape between Rocket and Quill, and Rocket’s desperate attempt to get Groot II to understand which button to push to set off the bomb inside Ego’s brain transpired, my stomach was already hurting from laughter, but I loved those interactions so much, and those interactions were the funniest of the film for me! The action meanwhile was so great with Peter’s showdown with Ego standing out as each of them tried to out-do one another on the avatar front (I loved the Pac-Man transformation from Quill). Through it all, we also got Yondu’s amazing Mary Poppins moment! It was all SO good, and The Guardians got their victory as we all assumed they would, but boy, did it ever come at a cost.
With everyone venturing to Kraglin’s ship to make an escape, it becomes clear that there is only one jetpack and only one oxygen mask to split between Yondu and Quill. A somber Rocket, who has bonded with Yondu in ways at this point that he never has with another human, begrudgingly caves-in to Yondu’s demand for Rocket and Groot II to get to safety and for Yondu to sacrifice himself for his son.
The other Guardians are frantic over Rocket’s insistence that they get to safety. Drax is horrified and Gamora is furious, but Rocket knows the planet is going to explode and that Peter Quill is going to be okay. He is at the same time terribly saddened by the fact that Yondu will not be.
As Quill destroys his biological father, his daddy arrives to whisk him away to safety and Yondu and Peter’s exchange is one of the saddest and most moving scenes the Marvel Studios team have ever produced. Chris Pratt and Michael Rooker really shined during this heartbreaking sequence, and this leads right into Yondu’s funeral, which I can only describe as immensely powerful and moving. Star-Lord’s eulogy is perfect, and then The Ravager Corps arrive to honor their fallen friend after receiving word of his heroics. Yondu died a hero, and this scene is so very gorgeous and well-done with little moments bringing the whole film together such as Gamora finally acknowledging her true feelings for Peter, Groot II cuddling up with Drax, Gamora awkwardly hugging Nebula, and Drax making an effort to compliment Mantis. It is Rocket who once again steals the show though, with his solemn expression of humility and acknowledgment of his own insecurities, and what the friendships of his fellow teammates truly mean to him.
The last image we see prior to the credits is Rocket crying, and I can’t imagine a better shot with which to close this amazing movie.
The credits were filled with additional scenes and fun music, and I thought it was very well done. I enjoyed all of the teases and follow-ups, and the credits did a great job of both tying up the story and setting up the future.
I feel like I have to mention the costuming, the cinematography, and the special effects, as well as the music, and the dialogue, and the humor, and the Easter-eggs that all came together to make Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two what it was, but it’s the heart that I feel truly defines this film. The family narrative was what drove the story; the complicated relationships between a father and an adopted child, between two adopted sisters, and between a band of friends who all need each other to be their best selves. Family is more than just blood; it’s unconditional love, and it’s a vital part of living and happiness, regardless of where one finds it.
Rocket was my favorite part of this movie, but Baby Groot was such a fun character. Everything that was done with Yondu was flawless. The stuff with Gamora and Nebula was extremely well-done. I came into this film loving the original Guardians team from the 2014 film, but I came out of it a far greater fan of Yondu, and especially of Nebula, who is today one of my favorite Marvel characters.
This film didn’t generate nearly as much love from the Marvel fan community as the first Guardians film did, but I liked Volume Two even more than the first one, and it is amongst my most favorite Marvel Studios productions.
Marvel Studios / The Walt Disney Company
Highlights of Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Two:
Rocket Raccoon
Baby Groot
Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord
Michael Rooker as Yondu
Karen Gillan as Nebula
Zoe Saldana as Gamora
Family Dynamic Themes
Kurt Russel as Ego
Rocket and Groot Relationship Flip
Chemistry Between Zoe Saldana and Karen Gillan
Music
Visuals
Heart
Humor
Ego the Living Planet Face Reveal
The Death of Yondu and Yondu’s Funeral
“I’m Mary Poppins, ya’ll!”
Stan Lee Watcher Informant Reveal
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Notable MCU Concepts and Characters Introduced:
The Watchers. Ego the Living Planet. Ayesha. The Sovereign. Mantis. Taserface. Stakar Ogord. Martinex. Charlie-27. Aleta Ogord. Krugarr. Mainframe. The Abilisk. The Grandmaster.
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