Guardians of the Galaxy 2 Images Spotlight Yondu, Ego and Rocket

Screen Rant

By Matthew Erao

Published Mar 20, 2017

James Gunn and Kurt Russell talk about Ego in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, as new images of the sequel's various characters arrive.

While fans are certainly excited to see Spidey and Iron Man team up in Spider-Man: Homecoming and watch Hulk and the God of Thunder battle in Thor: Ragnarok, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is perhaps Marvel Studios' most anticipated movie of 2017. Thanks to the success of the first Guardians, the sequel is already projected to have a massive opening weekend. While it's sure to involve a lot of cosmic chaos and outer space shenanigans, director and co-writer James Gunn has assured audiences that it will allow every character their own arc. That's good to hear, as the film keeps filling out its cast.

Last week, we learned that Smallville alum Michael Rosenbaum has a significant role in Guardians 2 - further driving home how packed this Marvel sequel is, in terms of cameos and new characters. While we know the Guardians will play a key role in Avengers: Infinity War, Gunn says the movie will offer a self-contained story that focuses on Marvel's lovable rogues. Though we recently got our second Guardians 2 trailer, we've yet to get too many images showing the characters up close. Luckily, that's starting to change, as the marketing continues to roll out for the summer blockbuster.

With the latest issue of Empire about to hit stands, new Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will be arriving with it. We saw the cover recently, showing Baby Groot destroying Awesome Mix #2. Now, you can check out shots of Ego, Yondu, Rocket, and the other Guardians in the gallery below. The article also has some insight into Kurt Russell's portrayal of Ego in the film. As Gunn tells it, the actor was always who he had in mind for the part of Peter Quill's father.

“I started writing for Kurt as I was finishing the screenplay. I would have been really disappointed if he’d said no.”

[vn_gallery name="Guardians of the Galaxy 2 – Empire Images" id="927292"]

Luckily, we know that Russell was keen on the part and agreed to co-star in the Guardians sequel. Once Russell got the script, it wasn't long until he realized why Gunn had thought of him. The actor spoke a bit about when it dawned on him why he had been sought after for the part.

"Fifteen minutes in, I said, ‘I think I see why they’re coming to me…The baggage I bring from some of the movies I’ve done is the right kind of baggage to bring into this one.”

We've learned a bit about Ego and Quill's relationship in the film, and have also heard how the living planet's powers will manifest on screen. All told, it will be quite interesting to see how the celestial body is translated into a humanoid parent for the purposes of the film. Hopefully, he will be sticking around beyond the movie. After all, once the Guardians have helped to defeat Thanos, they'll be back for the recently-confirmed Guardians 3. If Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is any indication, the next film will see the return of a number of familiar faces.