Updated: Kevin Feige talks character details, setting, and main villian for Guardians of the Galaxy

August 23rd 2013, 1:03pm

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

UPDATE: Some cool set pics of Michael Rooker in costume as Yondu have been added. Scroll down to check ’em out!

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY seemed to be low on the radar when first announced, but ever since that blisteringly bad ass footage dropped at Comic Con the steam has picked up in a big way, making it one of the most anticipated Marvel Phase Two films (if not THE most anticipated). In the latest issue of Empire, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige dished more details about the comic adaptation, including character details, the setting, timeframe, and ties to the overall Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition, Feige confirms that Ronan The Accuser (played by Lee Pace) is, in fact, the main villain (a story we broke months ago), but reaffirms the involvement of Thanos.

On the characters from GUARDIANS:

“They are an unlikely band. It’s pure circumstance that brings them all together throughout the course of the movie. Rocket has been genetically and mechanically altered, he’s an experiment from one part of the galaxy. Groot is a species that happens to look like trees look, and is quite communicative if you can understand the different inflections in the way he says, “I am Groot.” Peter Quill left Earth in the mid’80s, but when we meet back up with him he’s very much a citizen of the universe. Drax has one goal and one goal only, which is to kill Ronan because of a past tragedy. When we meet Gamora, she’s a bad guy working with Ronan and Nebula and Korath, and by extension for Thanos. Gamora doesn’t necessarily like doing that anymore, and tries to find a new path for herself. But she has a reputation as the deadliest woman in the galaxy that people aren’t greeting her with open arms.”

When asked if GUARDIANS will fit in the same timeframe as the other Phase Two films:

“The general answer is yes. It’s not exactly revealed what year or month it is in relation to the other Phase Two films. But yes, it’s the same time.”

On how connected GUARDIANS will be to the other Phase Two films:

“Certainly more than the others. We’ve already said that Thanos plays a part in it and is a character in it. That in and of itself should tell you it’s connected to the other worlds.”

On the main villain of the film:

“Ronan The Accuser is very much the main bad guy. And Thanos is lurking above it all. You will learn more about Thanos in Guardians, for sure. Certainly you’ll get more than the one turn around and smirk. You’ll get much more than that!”

Pretty cool stuff. After seeing the footage at Comic Con I was beyond sold on this, but the excitement continues to build. I think this will be the perfect breath of fresh air for the Marvel films and set the standard for brand extension. As much as I love Cap, Thor, Iron Man, and Hulk, there’s plenty of room to branch out and I think the success (or failure…though not likely) of GUARDIANS will play a huge role in that.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, starring Chris Pratt, Lee Pace, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillen, Michael Rooker, Glenn Close, John C. Reilly, Benicio Del Toro, Djimon Hounsou, Gregg Henry, Ophelia Lovibond, and potentially Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon, hits theaters on August 1, 2014.