Hello all, I've been thinking for a while about how to follow up my Pacific Rim musings and, although I could probably write another 10 or so posts on what is probably going to end up as my film of the year, I figured I should probably do something a bit more useful/appealing.
As you may or may not know, San Diego Comicon took place last weekend. Comicon has evolved over the last decade or so from a simple (but massive) comic trading convention into what has been called "the Cannes of geek cinema". In particular, during the tentative first years of the Marvel Studios "Avengers" project (now regarded as "phase 1") it was a safe haven to show costumes, trailers, concept art and other bits off in front of a fairly loyal crowd. Now days it's pretty much an early focus group for prospective geek/mainstream crossover films (read: comic/superhero films); come with the goods (Joss Whedon directing the Avengers!?) and the positive buzz generated can sustain a film through to opening day and beyond, fail to impress (looking at you Green Lantern) and well, Green Lantern happens.
This year, Marvel turned some mainstream news heads at their press conference, when, for an as yet un-hyped phase 2 film, Guardians of the Galaxy, Karen Gillan, Dr Who favorite, rising star and all around image of perfection (according to science, probably) turned up for the panel and did this*:
So there it is, Guardians of the Galaxy, but what is it, and should anyone care? Lets find out!
GotG first appeared in the comic world way back in 1969, in an alternate timeline (get used to alternate timelines, we're going to deal with a lot of them as we go exploring comic back-stories), however the current team were put together in 2008 by Dan Abnett, drawing characters from the Annihilation: Conquest crossover event to act as an intergalactic, proactive police force specializing in preventing attacks from other universes.
Cast:
The Guardians are:
Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) as Star Lord, a half human, half alien who serves as the team's leader and possesses increased strength and durability thanks to the suit he wears. Imagine Marvel's take on Han Solo and you're pretty much there.
Dave Bautista (WWE Wrestler Batista) as Drax the Destroyer, a human who is killed along with his family by Thanos (remember him, from the Avengers credits scene?). He is resurrected in a more powerful body for the sole purpose of destroying Thanos, pretty much a cold blooded killer.
Zoe Saldana (Avatar) as Gamora, an alien, the last of her species, raised and trained by Thanos, eventually turning against him. She is a master assassin and combatant and has enhanced speed and strength as a result of treatments performed by Thanos.
Rounding out the team are Rocket Raccoon, a highly evolved raccoon and tactical and demolitions expert and Groot, a tree-like alien who can control trees, regrow himself and possesses a genius level intellect.
Both Rocket and Groot are as yet unrevealed in terms of casting, with an announcement expected "very, very soon".
I could go into the rest of the cast, Benicio Del Torro, John C. Riley, Karen Gillan and more, but this is going to go on forever if I do that.
So bottom line, should we care about Guardians of the Galaxy? Absolutely! I'll admit, I kind of didn't give a damn before I started writing this post, but having dug a little into the universe, read an issue of the comic and explored a little of where the story could fit in with what we already have, I'm really excited to see it on the big screen. Throw in that it's being directed by James Gunn (Super, Slither) and is more or less Marvel doing Firefly/Serenity then it should do enough to please. Even more important is the role it will play in building the central Avengers story, adding a ton of depth and menace to Thanos, who (after more Comicon reveals) now won't pop up as a main bad guy until Avengers 3, as well as expanding the size and scope of the Marvel Studios Universe.
It's a risky move, a big departure from the safe "money" films Marvel have stuck to so far, but all the talent seems to be in place and if everything goes well it'll be a perfect change of pace before we get to Avengers 2 in 2015. I'll be keeping my eye on this on, as we'll definitely find out more before it comes out in just over 12 months (August 1st 2014).
At least it'll be better than Green Lantern? Right?
Ben J
*on the Karen Gillan head shaving debate, as someone who is going alarmingly thin on top at the age of 25, I'm not the kind of person who particularly gives a damn about how someone wears/cuts their hair. Personally I think it's a bit sad/verging on sexist that any woman is 2013 has to be labeled as brave or courageous for altering her appearance to deviate from gender stereotypes. That said, it generated plenty of publicity for the film, Karen still looks lovely and I'm sure she'll have a great time counting the fat stacks of cash she probably made by taking the role on. Everybody wins!
No comments:
Post a Comment