Director James Gunn has revealed the reason why the Awesome Mixtapes have a different song order to how they were used in their respective Guardians of the Galaxy movies.  Following the massive commercial and critical success of the first film from Marvel's cosmic sub-franchise in 2014, the team of ragtag misfits of Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Groot were back again this year for another round of universe-saving in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Along with a new narrative for the sequel, a collection of '70s/'80s tunes as part of the movie's soundtrack was also dropped to the delight of fans.

The carefully curated Mixtapes have become synonymous to the Guardians saga. Unlike other OSTs, the songs are very much appropriate and fitting to the story that in some way, it is almost another form of storytelling - enhancing people's movie viewing experiences. With all the talks regarding how Gunn picks and narrows down his musical choices, the mystery of why the order in which the tracks are listed on the actual soundtrack and how they are used in the films are not the same has never been discussed.

This apparently is not a case of coincidence or a minor detail missed by Gunn and folks at Marvel Studios who work on the Guardians franchise. In an interview with CinemaBlend, the prolific writer and director has explained the rational behind the Mixtape track order which apparently is intentional:

"I think because the order they are in in the movie is different than the order that they work well as somebody who has put mixtapes together their whole life. The order of the songs in the movie doesn't exactly work in the same way. So that's why. When you're putting songs together, there's a flow to the way that the songs work together. And if you put them in the order in the movie, in winds up being too pop-y up front, and too dark on the back half. It gets a little darker as it goes on, especially Vol. 2."

Baby Groot dancing in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 opening scene.

Further, Gunn has also shared the reason why some songs which were not used in the films ended up in the Mixtapes saying that it has something to do with their association to the movies with some even having a resurgence at the charts just because it was affiliated with either of the Guardians films:

"Fox On The Run" was really associated with the movie, the same way that "Spirit In The Sky" was associated with the first one. "Suffragette City" was a part of TV commercials; it was never in any of the actual theatrical trailers. So "Fox On the Run" was the first trailer, and it hit number one on the charts because of the trailers! So it was much more associated with it.

With both the first and second Guardians of the Galaxy films, as well as, their respective soundtracks now certified global hits, Gunn is already busy preparing for the next installment in the franchise which he will once again direct and write. Production for the film is expected to start sometime next year with the promise of Adam Warlock's imminent introduction to the MCU. However, even before Star-Lord and the rest of his growing team go for a third round of galaxy-saving, they would have to work together first  with Earth's Mightiest Heroes and other superheroes in the MCU to stop mad Titan Thanos and his children from their plans of taking over the whole universe in Avengers: Infinity War.

MORE: Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Soundtrack Shortlist Is Massive

Source: CinemaBlend