One of the most surprising successes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 2, Guardians of the Galaxy hit the perfect sweet spot between serving longtime Marvel fans and engaging casual filmgoers - on a massive scale. Thanks to director James Gunn and a talented cast of zany antiheroes Marvel took an often overlooked property and turned it into one of the studio's most beloved films. As a result, it was no surprise when Gunn announced that he would be returning to lead the team for Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 - set for release in 2017.

Fast forward to summer 2016 and the filmmaker began teasing that fans would get their first sneak peek at the continuing adventures of his misfit guardians - exclusive to Comic-Con 2016 panel attendees.

Now, the time has arrived - and Gunn kept his promise, debuting an early Guardians of the Galaxy 2 sizzle reel in Hall H as well as a first-look clip.

Escape from the Ravagers Clip:

  • The clip features Yondu, Rocket, and Baby Groot (who looks like a toddler version of the twig at the end of Guardians) imprisoned by the Ravagers.
  • The Ravagers mistake Groot for a harmless twig that is "too cute" to kill. Yondu and Rocket then proceed to have Groot fetch them Yondu's head fin (which controls his remote arrow) but Groot routinely fetches the wrong thing (including a severed finger and an office desk).
  • Once Groot succeeds in reuniting Yondu with his fin, Yondu uses the arrow to kill the ravagers (a LOT of Ravegers) and escape the ship.
  • Last up, Groot gets revenge (imagine a running and screaming six inch tall Groot in a jumpsuit) on a guard that wanted to poke his eye out earlier in the clip.

Guardians Galaxy Vol 2 New Logo

The Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 teaser trailer:

  • The trailer opens with the Guardians on top of an alien skyscraper - awaiting an inter-dimensional beast they have been hired to kill. Gamora is holding an alien rifle - which surprises Quill (who assumes swords are her go-to weapon). Zamora then chastises Quill for thinking she'd try to take-on an inter-dimensional alien with a sword. The scene ends with the alien creature appearing in the sky.
  • Throughout the trailer, Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" is played.

The rest of the trailer is a sizzle reel of fun shots (and hat tips to the original film). Each of the characters get a quick spotlight moment:

  • Star-Lord is shown gearing up for battle (his helmet re-materializing over his face) and blasting off.
  • Gamora is shown leaping at that inter-dimensial creature and stabbing it with... her sword (maybe the rifle wasn't the best choice after all).
  • Rocket is shown once again spinning in circles firing guns - this time with Groot on his shoulder.
  • Drax is shown standing on an alien planet looking up and saying: "Screw Spaceships" (that's a metaphor) and then, in a different shot, stabbing an organic looking wall repeatedly.
  • New Guardian, Mantis, is introduced to the team.
  • Ego (Kurt Russell's character) is revealed as Star-Lord's father. Explaining that, before Peter Quill was born, he took human form and met Quill's mother. Drax questions if Ego's human form includes a penis, to which Ego replies: "Yes, Drax. I do have a penis. A pretty good one too."

Yondu's portrait from Guardians of the Galaxy 2 revealed at SDCC 2016

Given that the film doesn't release for another year, the footage that Gunn brought was brief - and presented mostly out of context. However, it's safe to say that fans of the prior movie, the comic book series, and the MCU in general will be pleased with what attendees were shown. After delivering several of Marvel's most memorable heroes, especially the lovable pair of Rocket Raccoon and Groot, an emphasis on team banter and wisecracking is once again prominently featured in the footage that was screened - along with plenty of colorful galactic action (and retro tunes). Of course, it wouldn't be a SDCC teaser without something new for fans to debate - and this time, that something was footage of Kurt Russell in character (as Ego) and Pom Klementieff (as Mantis).

It remains to be seen whether or not the second Guardians film can live-up to the hype and box office success of the first film; however, the new footage certainly suggests that Gunn intends to build upon the foundation he built the first round - suggesting that Marvel will likely have another hit on their hands with Vol. 2.

NEXT: Marvel Characters We Want to See in Guardians of the Galaxy 2

Doctor Strange opens in U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016, followed by Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2– May 5, 2017; Spider-Man: Homecoming – July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018;Captain Marvel – March 8, 2019; Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 – May 3, 2019; and as-yet untitled Marvel movies on July 12, 2019, and on May 1, July 10, and November 6 in 2020.