Akin to Joss Whedon teasing Marvel's The Avengers untitled sequel while promoting the original box office behemoth in Japan, a few weeks ago, Marvel Studios' president of production made an effort to tease the 2014 movie coming before The Avengers reassemble; Guardians of the Galaxy. In yet another rough translation, via Japanese blog Nifty, Kevin Feige seemingly explains why the Guardians were greenlit, among other things.
During the Q&A session published only three days ago, Kevin Feige revealed the reason he and the studio are moving forward with Guardians of the Galaxy is because he “wanted to do something with it space.” He continues, “I've got a story I wanted to tell the world [that is] not directly related with the characters of "The Avengers," [until?] a little later.” While the Guardians & The Avengers aren't exactly “related,” it's strongly believed the former movie will lead directly into the latter's upcoming sequel in 2015; hence “a little later.”
Moving along, that response prompted the interviewer to bring up the otherworldly villain, Thanos, who made his live-action debut during Marvel's The Avengers mid-credits stinger. After being asked flat out would the Mad Titan appear in Guardians of the Galaxy, Feige apparently grins before saying, “I'm out (laughs) of course, because there is meaning [to the credits stinger].” Considering the so-far confirmed Guardians roster includes characters linked to Thanos, his inclusion is almost inevitable. However, today it's seemingly been confirmed.
Marvel Studios presents “Guardians of the Galaxy”—the big cinematic event exploring an interstellar super hero team-up, featuring Marvel characters Star-Lord, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Groot and Rocket Raccoon. While story details are under wraps, the film is rumored to lead with a U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants.
From a screenplay by Nicole Perlman and Chris McCoy, “Guardians of the Galaxy” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “Guardians of the Galaxy,” first published in 1969 and revived in 2008. While a director and ensemble cast have yet to be announced, “Guardians of the Galaxy” will assemble on August 1, 2014. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures will distribute the film. In addition to “Guardians of the Galaxy”, Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on other iconic Marvel characters including “Iron Man 3” on May 3, 2013; “Thor: The Dark World ” on November 8, 2013; “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” on April 4, 2014; and the currently-untitled sequel to “Marvel's The Avengers,” the third highest grossing film of all time, on May 1, 2015.