Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is still five months away from its theatrical release, and already, it's becoming clear who the film's scene stealers are going to be. Of course, the biggest takeaway from the film's last trailer was the adorably dangerous Baby Groot, who's popularity already seems to be eclipsing every other character in the film, but that doesn't discredit the interest to see what Pom Klementieff's Mantis or Kurt Russell's Ego the Living Planet will be bringing to the sequel. Though, the latter has been predictably absent from all of the film's non-Comic-Con trailers, and Mantis was just glimpsed briefly in the end tag of the film's second teaser trailer.

Interestingly enough, as important as the film's themselves are, the toys that are released in conjunction with not only the Marvel films, but also any major blockbuster nowadays, are becoming increasingly more important with each passing year. Vol. 2's writer and director James Gunn has previously stated and promised that the sequel's toy line will be much more inclusive to all of its cast members and characters too, following the #WheresGamora controversy that surrounded the first film's merchandising.

Today as well, a new batch of the film's official Funko Pop Toys have been shared by Gunn on his personal Facebook page. Of course, the toys feature new versions of the Star-Lord, Drax, and Rocket figures from the first film, updated with new details and their costumes in the sequel, but thankfully, the line also features figures for Gamora, Nebula, Baby Groot, Mantis, and (surprisingly) Taserface. Also revealed were some of the other variations that Funko will be releasing of the previously-mentioned characters. Take a look for yourself below:

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[vn_gallery name="Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Funko Toys" id="872783"]

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It seems fair to say that Baby Groot will likely be the most in-demand figure released with the film, thanks to his adorable personality and fun design. Gunn himself has gone out of his way to defend why the character's inclusion in the film isn't just a marketing ploy previously - and while his reasoning for the character to stay young in the film is completely understandable judging by the footage that's been unveiled thus far, that doesn't take away from the Baby Groot character's inherent marketing and merchandising appeal, either (as Gunn has acknowledged).

With more trailers to come, whatever is shown from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 next may either increase the hype and popularity of Baby Groot, or shift more of the attention and focus to the other returning and new characters alike (especially since Nebula, Mantis and even Michael Rooker's Yondu have only been briefly glimpsed in the trailers thus far). Based on the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 footage shown at last year's San Diego Comic-Con, it seems fair to say that Yondu has the potential to be an even bigger hit with audiences once the sequel is released, and the same can be said for basically all of the film's other characters.

Source: James Gunn

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