Having just wrapped filming on next year’s ‘big space epic’ Guardians of the Galaxy, director James Gunn has taken a moment to talk about the cosmic Marvel movie with Fandango, during which he discussed his preparations for the film, the casting of Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) as Peter Quill / Star-Lord, and his experience working with Marvel.
“I had to do research because I’m very stupid. I don’t have a very good memory. I had read, I think, most of the Guardians books,” states Gunn. “I was more up to speed on the [comics writers Dan] Abnett [and Andy] Lanning stuff. I had to go back and remind myself. I read a lot of the ’90s stuff when it was out, but I had forgotten it by the time this came along. At the risk of sounding pompous, because it’s going to be filtered through me, it’s going to be its own thing no matter what. But I think it was a chance to do something that really could make people feel like I felt when I was a young kid and saw these big spectacular space epics and give them something of that. And that was an exciting thing to be able to do.”
Gunn then went on to discuss the casting process for Star-Lord, which culminated with Chris Pratt securing the sought-after role as the Guardians’ half-human half-alien leader: “I was not willing to settle for second best. We auditioned many, many actors, and a lot of big actors who came in and tried to get the role of Peter Quill, and we tested over two dozen people. And none of them were right. It just didn’t feel right in my gut, and I always follow my gut. And Chris came in. He was pretty heavy at the time, and he read. But within about 30 seconds of him reading, I looked back at the casting director and I was like, ‘What the–? This is the greatest thing ever!’ I mean, I knew he was it.”
And finally, he then discussed his feelings about taking the Marvel Cinematic Universe cosmic with Guardians of the Galaxy: “I want to lay down the rules, I want to start it – I would love to be able to see it grow into other things. I love talking about all the other filmmakers, sitting around with the producer pitching ideas for other filmmakers to take on future Marvel projects. It’s a great thing to be a part of. And I don’t think it’s for everybody, but the truth is for me being able to sort of create this movie is a dream come true and just been a great experience.”
Guardians of the Galaxy is set for release on August 1st 2014, with Gunn directing a cast that also includes Zoe Saldana (Star Trek Into Darkness) as Gamora, Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook) as Rocket Raccoon, Dave Bautista (Riddick) as Drax the Destroyer, Vin Diesel (Fast & Furious 6) as Groot, Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead) as Yondu, Benicio Del Toro (Sin City) as The Collector, Lee Pace (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) as Ronan the Accuser, Karen Gillan (Doctor Who) as Nebula, John C. Reilly (Step Brothers) as Rhomman Dey, and Glenn Close (Damages) as the leader of the Nova Corps.
Originally published October 21, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
