Acknowledging the recent release of concept art and details for his space epic Marvel adaptation, Guardians of the Galaxy, director James Gunn took to Facebook to boast Marvel’s “ballsy” choices. When an abrupt fan commented that the Guardians of the Galaxy cast consists of “typical studio system actors,” and that Gunn didn’t have control in casting the film over the studio, James replied:
“Chris Pratt auditioned against A-list big-time movie stars for the most desired role around and Marvel was ballsy enough to back me when I wanted to hire him. I’ll love them forever for going with me on that. No other studio in the world would have ever taken that risk. Nor would any other studio in the world ever have hired me (or Joss Whedon, etc) to do this type of film. Same with the others. Anyone who has followed me for a while knows I either speak my mind or shut the [frick] up. I never say I love something if I don’t. And, to be completely frank, I’ve been way more pressured to cast “names” on nearly every independent film I’ve ever done.” When another fan asked if Chris Pratt was slimming down for the Star-Lord role, James Gunn added, “Just saw Chris. He’s in amazing shape NOW.”
Marvel Studios presents “Guardians of the Galaxy”—A big space epic featuring an unlikely cast of Marvel characters, including Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Groot and Rocket Raccoon, who must team up in order to defeat a cosmic force of epic proportions. Starring Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Michael Rooker, Ophelia Lovibond and Lee Pace and directed by James Gunn from a screenplay by James Gunn, “Guardians of the Galaxy” is based on the Marvel comic book series “Guardians of the Galaxy,” first published in 1969 and relaunched in 2008. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures will distribute “Guardians of the Galaxy” on August 1, 2014. In addition to “Guardians of the Galaxy”, Marvel Studios will release “Iron Man 3” on May 3, 2013; “Thor: The Dark World ” on November 8, 2013; “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” on April 4, 2014; the sequel to “Marvel's The Avengers” on May 1, 2015; and “Ant-Man” on November 6, 2015!