After a few teasers from Marvel’s YouTube channel, the second full-length trailer has been released for the new Space-Opera/ Comedy Guardians of the Galaxy.
Guardians is based on an obscure Marvel comic series by the same name launched in 2008, (based on an earlier series by the same name created in 1969). The film is centered on a team of criminals turned heroes consisting of Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), and Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper).
The new trailer again introduces us to Star-Lord, but also gives us a greater look into the rest of the cast (as we hear the first voiced lines from Cooper and Diesel). We are also treated to Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky”, which really helps establish the film’s tone. This disparate crew of strange and seemingly unrelated characters don’t seem like they could guard much of anything. The rest of the galaxy sees them as losers… As underdogs… Much like the film itself.
Guardians of the Galaxy is by far Marvel Studio’s riskiest wager to date. While recognizable characters like Captain America and the Hulk could get their foot in the door with brand-recognition to then deliver great stories, Guardians does not have the same privilege. Marvel Studios is hoping that their good name alone (backed by a wonderful track record and the Walt Disney corporation) will drive moviegoers to go out to the theaters and buy tickets. If anyone can make a great film out of a space-faring superhero team with a walking tree and a foul-mouthed raccoon, however, it would be Marvel Studios.