James Gunn remains fairly active on social media, often taking time to interact with fans and answer questions about his films. In a Facebook post yesterday, the Guardians Of The Galaxy director took some time to answer a number of questions he had been repeatedly getting over the last several weeks in one big post. One of the first was about when we would be seeing the first trailer for the Guardians sequel. His answer was a bit on the vague-ish side.
– When’s the first trailer coming out?
Does “before Christmas” work for you?
– No.
Sorry. That’s as much as I can narrow it down at this time.
If I were a betting man, I would put money on the trailer probably premiering in front of Marvel’s Doctor Strange, which opens November 4. Second guess would be in front of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story which opens a week before Christmas. Either would be strong positioning for the public’s first look at the film.
Gunn also took the time to address a number of questions about the upcoming film, some of which he has touched upon before, starting with some specific ones about breakout character, the walking alien tree, Groot.
– Is Vin Diesel doing baby Groot’s voice?
Yes.
– How the hell is that gonna happen? Vin’s voice is deep.
Vin is an actor and capable of doing many voices. His Carol Channing is famous in Hollywood.
– Is baby Groot the same as Groot, or Groot’s son?
It’s complicated.
– Does he have Groot’s memories?
No.
– Does baby Groot stay baby Groot for all of Guardians Vol. 2?
Haha look at that cute thing my cat is doing.
– You’re avoiding the question.
I know. What’s your next question?
He also addresses the recurring question as to whether cosmic villain Thanos will be appearing in the sequel as part of a possible setup to his appearance in the upcoming The Avengers: Infinity War.
– Is Thanos a big part of Vol. 2?
Thanos is not in Vol. 2.
– So he’s only in like one or two scenes?
No, he’s not in any of it.
– Does he get up from the chair?
He’s not in the movie, so he doesn’t really get up or not get up from the chair.
– I can’t believe you’re gonna have him in the chair the whole time. AGAIN.
You’re not listening.
Gunn goes on to admit that he pretty much has storytelling freedom and he isn’t bound by any restrictions to things going on in the rest of Marvel’s Phase Three films.
– How much of a story did Marvel Studios give you when you were started writing Vol. 2?
Nothing. The film, story, and character arcs are all mine.
– Wait a second. How do you know where the characters are going if the MCU is all connected?
Fortunately, the Guardians are somewhat outside of all that, so they have complete freedom. At least at this point. Of course any stories afterwards will have to make do with whatever happened in Vol. 2.
– Well, I’m finding that very hard to believe. If Marvel gives you so much freedom, what if you decided to kill off all the characters?!
I wouldn’t decide to kill off all the characters, just like I wouldn’t decide to turn them all into toasters halfway through the film. And if I DID kill them all, or turn them into toasters, I’m sure my freedom would be rescinded. But Marvel and I have the same goal for Guardians Vol. 2 – to make the biggest, most incredible spectacle film of all time, that honors the characters, and surprises audiences in a positive way. So until I screw up, they allow me to do my thing. And I’m grateful for that opportunity.
And while he has control over what happens to his characters in his films, he dances around the question as to whether they will be appearing in any of the other Phase Three films independent of him.
– Please tell me the Guardians are going to meet up with the Avengers in Infinity Wars?/Please tell me the Guardians are going to stay separate from the MCU?
You seem to be asking for two different things.
– Because I represent the entire audience and we contradict ourselves all the time.
Oh.
– It’s really you writing this anyway.
I know. But let’s keep the illusion going.
– Are they in Infinity Wars or not?
Maybe.
– Do you know?
Yes, I know.
– Vin said they were!
I know that too.
– Are there any Avengers in Vol. 2?
No.
And what about that Easter Egg he has hinted that he slipped into the first Guardians Of The Galaxy movie that he claims no one has found yet?
– Has the big Easter egg from Vol. 1 been found yet?
No.
– No way. I think you’re just making it up and trolling us.
I’m not. I promise. As I’ve said a million times, I’ve never lied to the fans and I never will.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 hits theaters on May 5, 2017.
