“Guardians of the Galaxy”, released in 2014, is a milestone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a revolution in the superhero genre. With a charismatic cast and an engaging plot, the film quickly won over audiences, transforming lesser-known characters into pop culture icons. The narrative, which blends action, humor, and an unforgettable soundtrack from the ’70s and ’80s, brought innovative freshness to the Marvel cinematic universe.
Additionally, the film not only set a new standard for assembling superhero teams but also introduced cosmic elements and a sense of adventure that expanded the franchise’s horizons. In this text, we’ll explore fascinating trivia about “Guardians of the Galaxy,” from behind-the-scenes details and hidden references to character creation and the film’s lasting cultural impact. Get ready to discover what makes this intergalactic adventure so special!
1 – A SCI-FI, HORROR, AND COMEDY DIRECTOR
For “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Marvel recruited one of the most creative directors in the industry: James Gunn, known for his work in science fiction, horror, and comedy. With a dedicated and innovative approach, Gunn created such a collaborative work environment that he received constant praise from the actors. Interestingly, other directors were considered for the project.
Although they were not chosen for “Guardians of the Galaxy,” they eventually directed other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Peyton Reed, who directed “Ant-Man” and its sequel, and Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, who are at the helm of Captain Marvel’s solo film, are the filmmakers who eventually joined the franchise.
2 – CHRIS PRATT WASN’T THE FIRST CHOICE
When the film was announced, Marvel Studios sought an actor capable of bringing a truly unconventional hero to life. Given the need for a more comedic approach, the role of Star-Lord was tested by a number of actors, including Joel Edgerton, Eddie Redmayne, Lee Pace, as well as Jensen Ackles and James Marsden. However, the role eventually went to Chris Pratt, who stood out in James Gunn’s audition.
To prepare for the role, Pratt underwent an intense physical transformation, losing over thirty pounds and gaining muscle, which affected his participation in the series “Parks & Recreation.” Additionally, the actor even took the hero’s costume from the set to visit children in hospitals, dressing up as Star-Lord to cheer up the little ones.
3 – VIN DIESEL
Vin Diesel is known for his passion for superheroes. Before being cast in “Guardians of the Galaxy,” he dedicated months to campaigns on his Facebook page, trying to secure the role of Vision in an Avengers film or Black Bolt in the then-planned Inhumans film. Eventually, he had a conversation with Marvel Studios and was chosen to voice Groot. Although his role required him to repeat only two phrases throughout the film, Diesel was convinced to record Groot’s voice in approximately eight languages, including Russian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, German, and French.
He revealed that playing Groot was a great comfort during a difficult time in his life when he was recovering from the loss of Paul Walker, his close friend and co-star in the “Fast & Furious” franchise.
4 – DRAX AND GAMORA
In the film, two of the most significant roles are played by green characters: Drax the Destroyer and Gamora, portrayed by Dave Bautista and Zoe Saldana, respectively. James Gunn immediately thought of Bautista for the role of Drax, but Jason Momoa, known for his work as Aquaman, also auditioned. Momoa ended up turning down the role because he did not want to be associated with a “brutish and dumb” character. For the role of Gamora, Rachel Nichols, Gina Carano, and Adrianne Palicki (the Mockingbird from “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) also auditioned.
The makeup process for Drax was extremely time-consuming, taking three to five hours every day. Even so, Bautista did not complain and even suggested ideas for the character’s tattoo design. Zoe Saldana, on the other hand, insisted that Gamora’s look be achieved with prosthetics and makeup rather than computer graphics.
5 – ROCKET – THE RACCOON
Rocket Raccoon is one of the most eccentric members of the team, being a genetically modified anthropomorphic raccoon with a rather irreverent vocabulary and a great fondness for firearms. Creating the character was a real challenge for James Gunn and his production team.
To bring Rocket to life, three actors were needed: Sean Gunn, the director’s brother, performed the character’s movements on set for motion capture; Bradley Cooper provided the voice during post-production; and a real raccoon named Oreo served as a reference for the digital construction of the character. James Gunn even brought Oreo to the film’s premiere.
6 – CREATING THE VILLAIN
After auditioning for the role of Star-Lord, Lee Pace was cast as the villain Ronan the Accuser, a Kree. In the comics, Ronan is a powerful general who alternates between hero and villain for the sake of his race. In the film, his role was adjusted: in addition to being exiled by his fellow Kree, he also serves Thanos.
Lee Pace brought a unique intensity to the role, drawing inspiration from religious zealots and cult leaders. The makeup and costume, like many other characters in the film, were extremely complex and took hours to apply. Interestingly, Ronan was not the first Kree to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; a Kree had already been introduced in “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
7 – AN UNKNOWN TEAM IN CINEMAS
Since the Guardians of the Galaxy were relatively unknown and not well-established in the comics, various characters were considered for the initial lineup of the team in the movies. According to the director, characters like Nova, Adam Warlock, and others were considered for the script but were eventually excluded in later versions.
This situation led to a conflict between James Gunn and Matt McGloin, a “journalist” from the Cosmic Book News site, who was a big fan of Nova.
McGloin even posted Gunn’s personal number on the site, encouraging the public to pressure for the hero’s inclusion. Gunn later mentioned that he regretted this situation and that it contributed to his disinterest in including Nova in the films, despite the Nova Corps being introduced in the first team movie.
8 – THE AMAZING SOUNDTRACK
Music is undoubtedly one of the most crucial components of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and James Gunn dedicated considerable effort to it. For Gunn, the idea of including a memorable soundtrack helped define not only Star-Lord’s character but also the film itself, paying homage to sci-fi classics from the ’70s and ’80s.
Gunn selected a wide range of songs, ending up with just over ten tracks that he listened to while writing the script. “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5 was his favorite, and the scene of Groot dancing at the end of the film was created based on a motion capture of himself.
9 – THE DIRECTOR’S DANCE
The scene where the miniature Groot dances won over many fans, but what few know is that the dance moves were based on James Gunn’s own choreography, which was captured to create the character’s movements.
10 – BUDGET AND BOX OFFICE
The film was quite expensive for an unknown team at the time of its release in 2014, costing $170 million. But Marvel certainly had no regrets, as it earned an impressive $773 million worldwide.
“Guardians of the Galaxy” is not only a standout film for its innovative approach and irreverent humor but also a work rich in curiosities and fascinating details. From the casting choices to the production challenges, every aspect of the film reveals the dedication and creativity involved in its making. The soundtrack, secret Easter eggs, and filming quirks highlight James Gunn’s care in creating a captivating and authentic universe.
The way the film reimagined lesser-known characters and integrated them memorably into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a testament to the bold vision of its team. Revisiting these curiosities, it is clear that “Guardians of the Galaxy” not only delighted audiences but also established itself as a classic of modern science fiction, continuing to surprise and inspire fans with its details and behind-the-scenes stories.