With the movie’s release coming in the build up to Avengers: Infinity War, it was assumed that James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. would tie into the movie somewhat. There, of course, was always the theory that the final moments of the film would see The Guardians head to Earth and join the battle with Thanos. However, if the director himself is to be believed, The Mad Titan and his Infinity Guantlet will not be featuring in his movie at all.
“Thanos will not appear in Vol. 2. No,” he said in a Facebook Q&A. “As I’ve said before, Thanos isn’t in this movie. I think he’s gonna have a little bit to do and say when it comes to a certain wars and infinity. We’ve got other fish to fry in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. We’re not really so much about the Infinity Stones in Guardians 2. Is that a spoiler? It’s not really a thing.”
“I’m dealing with this one story… It’s not like I have to change something now for something in the future,” he adds about the interconnecting universe. “It’s more like whatever happens in the future will have to be changed by what’s created now.”
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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is scheduled for release on April 28th 2017 in the UK and on May 5th in the States, with director James Gunn reuniting with returning cast members Chris Pratt (Star-Lord), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Bradley Cooper (Rocket), Vin Diesel (Groot), Karen< Gillan (Nebulda), Michael Rooker (Yondu) and Sean Gunn (Kraglin) alongside new additions Pom Klementieff (Oldboy) and Steve Agee (New Girl).
Gary@FlickeringMyth says
That’s a shame. I would have liked to see him featured, even if just in a similar capacity to the first movie.
Luke Owen says
Same here. Although, I suppose, in the timeline of the movie Thanos will be on Earth with the Stones while GOTG2 is taking place – so maybe it makes sense?
Or is Gunn really playing in his own sandbox in the MCU?
elmariachimike says
Respectfully, I’m tired of that capacity.
It might have something to do with not being a fan of the Thanos character/storylines from my comic book days, but as he’s been presented on the screen (big, foreboding generic bad guy) I’m kinda over it.
Gary@FlickeringMyth says
I just want to see them build him up a bit more. I really liked his scene in the first Guardians.
elmariachimike says
Again, respectfully: what would like to see built up?
Personally, I’d love some backstory, if they’re devoting screen time to Thanos. He’s wildly in danger of becoming Villain of the Week, in my opinion. I think that’s why I’m tired of his current screen time, because it’s just repeated “Look how powerful he is! Look, a glove!”
Gary@FlickeringMyth says
I’d like to see him do something more than sit in a chair. We’ve not seen anything to suggest he’s really that powerful. He’s lost a few Infinity Stones, and done nothing about it. Show him as a threat. But, if they want to save it for Infinity War, like you say, give us some backstory.
Timo Qvintus says
I’m with you on this. The next time we see Thanos I want him to blast entire armies into bits.
The Walking Cuban says
Gunn has said before that he didn’t really like including him in part 1, but, it didn’t feel forced or shoehorned in any way. Made perfect sense, what with Ronan, Gamora, Nebula, the stone, and yet very little Thanos. Now he wants less. Well… Whatever, I’m sure it’ll be a great movie.
Timo Qvintus says
It’s the opposite, Gunn wanted to use Thanos and had to convince Feige to let him do it.
The Walking Cuban says
For real B? Why the change of heart, yo? You’d think he’d be all I’ve that prospect.
Timo Qvintus says
Umm.. what?
The Walking Cuban says
Translation: what he don’t wanna do nuttin wit Thanos in part 2 fo’, cuh?
Timo Qvintus says
OK I’m still not understanding you, but I guess you mean why Gunn doesn’t want Thanos in GOTGv2? Because he doesn’t need him. Thanos had a role to play in the first one, so he wanted to use him and did – this time Thanos isn’t needed and therefore doesn’t appear.
I am awesome says
That’s great.Now, The original aka Darkseid will appear first in a full length movie than your copied ass.
DaCronic says
Lmao!! Good one.
Vos_L says
Except that Thanos already appeared in the Avengers post-credits scene and then he appeared multiple times in the “full length movie” known as the first GOTG. So your comment makes zero sense, lol.
I am awesome says
Yeah but he wasn’t the main villain in an entire movies and those were one minute clips at best.Nothing to be concerned about.
these are words says
Right, but Thanos needs all the Infinity Stones, and the Guardians have the Power Stone in their possession, so if Thanos doesn’t attack them in Vol. 2, that means that the Guardians have to be in Infinity War.
Michael R. Sawyer says
the Nova Corps has the Power Stone not the Guardians
these are words says
Oh yeah … I completely forgot about that. Well then Thanos still needs to attack the Nova Corps and take the Infinity Stone.
Gary@FlickeringMyth says
Thanos still has a lot of work to do before he completes the Infinity Gauntlet. I expected he’d be working towards it during Phase Three. I guess Infinity War Part I will cover all of that.
Timo Qvintus says
IW part 1 should be an adaptation of Thanos Quest.
iaoz says
Shouldn’t that purple glowing gem be Space Stone Gem??
these are words says
Pretty sure the one in The Avengers is the space stone (the tesseract). The one in Guardians of the Galaxy is the power stone.
David Newman says
well there goes my interest in GOTG2. no connection to the overall MCU
elmariachimike says
That’s not what the article said. It said that Thanos wouldn’t be in it.
First of, GotG is part of the MCU. How could it have “no connection”?
Secondly, do you really want every movie to focus on Thanos? Correct me if I’m wrong (I might be) but did Winter Soldier have anything to do with Thanos, the Infinity War, or any of the Infinity Stones? If so, I don’t recall.
Third, if you’re so perturbed that Thanos isn’t in this flick, just remember that at least two of the main characters are heavily related to him in some fashion.
Skiznot says
How to we know that new characters won’t be introduced that turn out to have pivotal roles in Infinity 2? Also they have already established connection to the overall MCU. Also GOTG was the best Marvel Studios movie to date and it’s so strong that it could stand alone anyway.
Gonzed says
It doesn’t have to be a huge part of the movie.. but a least a little piece should be thrown in to further the story line a little. Or at least an after credit scene.. The Infinity story line is so huge and in depth that any opportunity Marvel has to add to it should be jumped on!
elmariachimike says
With all due respect, what have any of the previous Thanos snippets added to the storyline? It’s been four or five “He’s so awesome! Look, he’s… grabbing a glove…” moments. Unless you’re a hardcore fan, it’s actually getting tiresome, in my opinion.
ThatGuy984 says
I feel as though Gunn is being too Selfish/Greedy with the GOTG franchise….It would be the absolute perfect time to introduce a powerless Ms. Marvel to the MCU through a simple cameo or via a small Kree subplot with Mar-vell. It would make perfect sense instead of just focusing on this long lost father aspect…they could easily do both. The very least James could do is introduce Nova if he doesn’t want to focus on Thanos or Infinity war
elmariachimike says
I don’t think the article said he wouldn’t do the things you mentioned, did he?
Not saying that he WILL, but I’m not sure where you extrapolated that from. Perhaps another source?
Timo Qvintus says
Who said that there won’t be a Kree-subplot? Where?
ThatGuy984 says
regardless he wont allow another marvel hero to have a small origin story in his movie via small scene or something which would be perfect for Nova, Carol Danvers, or Mar-vell…its simply just wasted potential
Timo Qvintus says
Again, based on what?
ThatGuy984 says
what he has already stated…pay attention.
Timo Qvintus says
I am paying attention. Intense attention. And he has never ruled out introducing new characters. Just not Nova or Carol.
Anomalous says
Maybe they’ll do a secrete ending where they’ll some how connect them and surprise us. Fingers crossed!
Andre Gomez says
that’s fine. there’s rumors that he’ll show up in Ragnarok which makes more sense since Ronan died.
elmariachimike says
Good… good… thank goodness!
It might seem sacrilegious, but I’m tired of the snippets of Thanos acting like a tough guy, threatening, putting on his glove, etc. I’m interested to see Infinity War, but if every movie points only towards that film(s), what happens afterwards? Are we calling it a day on Marvel movies?
Captain America took a huge stride forward with Winter Soldier (and presumably with Civil War) in that it dialed back from the “OMG! The world is going to explode!” and focused, instead, on characters (like Bucky and Falcon) and overarching plotlines (S.H.I.E.L.D. v Hydra). It was refreshing — even though it still has a mass-destruction vibe to the helicarriers.
I was interested in the stories in GoG, but that can easily go away if the wrong mash of CG-and-Thanos-hype overrides the characters. This is a great chance for that series to get you caring about the people, and continue to push forward beyond just Thanos.
flintmarko1210 says
Hoping the Guardians aren’t featured in IW at all. Not every single thing has to ‘connect’ in these films. It cheapens the individual products when all they do is build up to something else
elmariachimike says
They can always hook up after Phase III. 🙂
Skiznot says
The whole point of the Infinity comic was it kind of included everyone though. If any of the movies are connected though you would think Thanos’ adopted daughter would play into it.
Timo Qvintus says
Why does the article title assume that this won’t connect to Infinity Wars at all, simply because there are no Infinity Stones or Thanos?
RandomGuy says
Where did he say that the movie wouldn’t connect to Avengers:Infinity War? He said that Thanos and the stones won’t be in it. Plus, he said that future events are shaped by what happens in this movie. That means Infinity War will be shaped by this movies events. (i.e. connected)
Blanket-Man says
Marvel has 3 other movies coming up between GOTG 2 and Infinity Wars Part I: Spider-Man, Thor 3, and Black Panther. So I don’t see much reason to force a direct connection with Infinity Wars. Assuming these “Wars” take place in several different regions across the galaxy, it won’t be hard to bring the Guardians into Part I (or Part II) without a direct lead-in from GOTG 2.
Guest says
James Gunn acts like he’s above the MCU. He tries to distance himself from what they do. Calm down man. You made Slither. Get over yourself. I’ve seen you social media. You post selfies with that same dumb emo look on your face.
33fokman says
If Guardians was never connected to the all this other Marvel stuff, then why is the first film a part of “Phase 2” to the MCU…?. Gunn acts like Marvel and Disney “need” him to direct the next sequels lined up. Calm yourself, Shane Black did “Iron Man 3” and that made more money than the previous two films by Favreau.