The gang is back together (well, almost) in a new behind-the-scenes image of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2. Chris Pratt (Star-Lord), Dave Bautista (Drax), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Michael Rooker (Yondu), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Sean Gunn (reference for Rocket), and newcomer Pom Klementieff (Mantis) pose next to writer-director James Gunn as they rehearse scenes. Groot, as we’ve seen from the first image from production, is small enough to sit on Drax’s shoulders, which possibly explains why there’s no visual marker for him in this image.
Gunn revealed the snapshot on social media as he continues to keep fans up to date on the latest happenings. Writing in the comments section on Facebook, Gunn clarified that they’re standing in a gym that dubs as their rehearsal space, while the tape on the ground is in the shape of the set pieces with which the actors will eventually interact.
See the image below.
High on believing. The Guardians of the Galaxy and frenemies.Posted by James Gunn on Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Gunn's caption reads, "High on believing. The Guardians of the Galaxy and frenemies.” Does this mean Mantis is a “frenemy,” or is he just describing Nebula and Yondu. While you ponder that, Gunn also teased the “amazing” performance of Klementieff, sporting her new blonde hair. Her character, the green-skinned Mantis, is adept at martial arts, which in the comics she learned from a group of renegade Kree pacifists. She earned her name for her ability to topple her male opponents. This role seems perfectly suited for Klementieff, who showed audiences her ass-kicking moves in the Oldboy remake, which, funny enough, starred Thanos himself, Josh Brolin.
Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper return to voice Groot and Rocket, respectively, while Vol. 2 also features Elizabeth Debicki (Everest) and Chris Sullivan (The Knick) in unspecified roles. Kurt Russell is reportedly playing Star-Lord’s mystery father, the identity of which will be a focus of the sequel. Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy) is the latest casting addition, coming in to play one of Yondu’s ravagers.
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 won’t hit theaters until May 5, 2017, but Gunn will likely have updates for us all through production, including more behind-the-scenes shots.
