In a recent interview with Comic Book Resources, James Gunn offered an update on the current status of Guardians of the Galaxy 2. After releasing the most successful comic book movie of 2014 (which many had written off as a flop months before it was released), you'd think that the filmmaker is feeling the pressure, but clearly isn't! "Well, I'm really inspired," he told the site when asked for an update on the sequel. "The whole story is written. I'm very excited about it. And that's where it is. But the story point for me is, in a lot of ways, the most difficult thing. I feel like it's pretty strong. It's constantly shifting, but I feel like it's pretty strong. I'm excited about it." The first movie obviously gave us only a taste of the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and with the two-part Avengers: Infinity War surely set to further explore that side of things, will Guardians of the Galaxy 2 make the same mistakes as Iron Man 2 when it comes to world buidling? Based on what Gunn said when asked how the sequel will handle that side of things, it doesn't sound like it! "I think there's a combination of some new world-building, combined with getting to know the world we already know a little bit better, just taking a closer look at everything to get to know things a little bit more intimately as opposed to seeing in very broad terms what some of these cultures are -- like, getting to know them very up close and personal."
Some fans were dismayed to learn that the sequel might not put music to use the same way as Guardians of the Galaxy did, something which has earned the Marvel Studios movie a Grammy nomination! However, the director elaborated on those earlier comments and why he wants to be careful not to retread old ground. "Really, it's just about walking forward in an elegant manner. When you go forward with a group of characters, that means you have to go forward. And going forward means you're understanding these characters in a new way, you're developing a new kind of story about their lives and who they are and where they're going. And if you're doing that, if you're walking forward, then you can't just repeat what you did before. That's going backwards. That's not understanding the character." As for what all this might mean for the team, he adds, "The Guardians are going to continuously change. I think that some of the characters are probably worse than what we think they are, and other characters are better than what we think they are. It's going to be interesting to learn a little bit about that as time goes on."
As you may recall, there was a rumour that Gunn could end up directing the two-part Avengers: Infinity War, and even if that isn't the case (the Russos are also said to be in the running for the job), you have to imagine that he'll be somehow involved after opening that side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Right? Maybe not! "I haven't decided yet, to be completely frank with you. I just really haven't decided yet. I mean, I obviously love the Guardians, the Marvel Cosmic Universe. It means a lot to me. And there are other things out there as well. So I'm trying to figure that all out right now." Intriguing comments don't you think? Sound off below!