GOTG2: Original Team May Return

Spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

The core cast of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 still have a lengthy future in the MCU, but they may not be the only cosmic group set to return to the big screen. After dominating at international theaters for a week, Guardians 2 debuted domestically this past weekend to a massive $145 million. In total, it's up to $428 million around the world, with the coveted billion dollar box office looking ever more likely. All told, the new film brought back the action and comedy of the first film, while providing fans with plenty of nods to the comics and spelling out several possible futures for the MCU.

Out of all of the Easter eggs peppered throughout the new movie, one of the most exciting was writer/director James Gunn twist on the original Guardians of the Galaxy. First teased when Yondu encounters Sylvester Stallone's Stakar, we learn throughout the movie that the two once worked alongside a group of Ravagers who all hail from the comics. The reference was a fun one, but the team's multiple appearances across the movie have many fans hoping the characters will pop back up in a future film.

Thanks to Collider, we know that bringing back the team may not be guaranteed, but it's certainly in the cards. During a press conference for Guardians 2, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige discussed the possibility of Stakar and the other Ravagers returning and whether their appearance was just a fun nod or indicative of a future in the MCU.

“It’s always a bit of both. It’s always, we do it because it’s fun in the moment and it’s fun as a potential sneak of what’s to come. I think all things being equal, I think James and everybody at Marvel would love to see the continued adventures in some aspect, whether it’s a large pat in a future movie or as James just said to somebody else, a Howard the Duck level appearance down the line of any or all of those original guardians. But really the most important immediate thing for us really just to establish and showcase that yes, those original Guardians, though they may never call themselves that in our movie mythology, but they exist.”

Feige's mention of Howard the Duck certainly keeps the idea of the original Guardians in line with a cameo, as that character will likely never have a meaty role in the films. That said, the star power of Stallone, Ving Rhames, Michael Rosenbaum, Michelle Yeoh, and Miley Cyrus certainly means their characters would be a draw for a future film. Gunn went on to echo many of Feige's sentiments, offering his take on the post-credits scene that seemed to set up a future for Stakar and his crew.

“With all of the post-credit scenes in this movie, they’re all funny and fun, and most of them are things that we hope to see continuing on in the MCU, whether that’s in supporting roles in future movies, or whatever. I think it would be great to see those things and those characters show up.”

Many fans would never have imagined that Howard the Duck would pop up in not one, but two MCU films following the universally-paned feature he headlined in the '80s. Given Gunn's free reign in the Marvel cosmic universe, however, it seems that just about anything is possible. It seems even more likely we'll see Stakar and the others again given the story potential, character history, and ties to the comics. Howard may be suited for a small nod, but the original Guardians could have a big future beyond Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.