Infinity-Gauntlet-ThanosBeing set in space, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ was already literally and figuratively far removed from the established Marvel Cinematic Universe, which when you think about it, is really more of a Marvel Cinematic Earth.  But even so, there were ties to the larger story in that the film centered around the quest for one of the Infinity Stones (the purple Power Stone) and included Thanos, the Big Bad that made his film debut in the mid-credits scene in ‘Avengers’ and is slated to be the menace in both halves of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’.  Not only that, but two of the main characters were his “daughters,” the villainous Nebula (Karen Gillan) and the not-quite-as-villainous Gamora (Zoë Saldana).

While both of these lethal ladies are due to return in the sequel, it seems Big Poppa will be nowhere to be seen.  Nor will the Infinity Stones.

James Gunn, the director of both ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ installments stated emphatically:

Guardians-of-the-Galaxy“Thanos will not appear in Vol. 2. No. As I’ve said before, Thanos isn’t in this movie. I think he’s gonna have a little bit to do and say when it comes to a certain wars and infinity. We’ve got other fish to fry in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

“We’re not really so much about the Infinity Stones in Guardians 2. Is that a spoiler? It’s not really a thing.”

So no Thanos, no Infinity Stones.  Add that to the fact that we already know that the Guardians will not visit Earth and the rumored cameo by The Hulk was just that, nothing more than a rumor (or more likely wishful thinking on the part of fans), we basically know more about what ‘Guardians 2’ WON’T be than what it WILL.

On the other hand, we know that the movie will reveal who Star-Lord’s father is.  (We know it is NOT J’Son of Spartax.)  We also know that Pom Klementieff is joining as a new teammate, Mantis.

Under the Maybe heading, we hear the team MAY undergo a roster change.  But the fact that Gunn vetoes the notion of Infinity Stones factoring in, seems to negate the rumor that The Vision, possessor of the Mind Stone would cameo and possibly even join the team.

The first ‘Guardians’ was already the most off-beat film in the studio’s library.  Now that the second movie appears to be even further removed from the larger story, that could mean it will push the envelope even more.

Are you sad that ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ won’t connect more to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe?  Or are you glad to get more of a stand-alone experience?

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ directed by James Gunn, starring Chris Pratt, Zoë Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Benicio del Toro, Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, Pom Klementieff, Kurt Russell (unconfirmed) and the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper takes off on May 5, 2017.

Source: Screen Rant