Brian Michael Bendis On Marvel NOW! GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY & The Phase II Film

Talking to USA Today about his upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Marvel NOW! series celebrated writer Brian Michael Bendis discusses his plans for the comic book and touches on the planned Phase II Marvel Studios film from James Gunn.

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By Mark Julian - 3/12/2013



Bendis has moved on from The Avengers after 8+ years, taking his words and ideas to the X-Men for Marvel Comics but he's also carving out time to pen a new take on the Guardians of the Galaxy. In a recent interview with USA Today, Bendis talked about his plans for the intergalactic wayfarers and shared a few thoughts about the film adaptation from Marvel Studios.


Guardians of the Galaxy Bendis Gunn "I had this idea of one of the Guardians being an Earth member. It seemed like that would be a cool thing to do and would say a lot more what the book is. It'd be so easy for any of them to do otherwise [than be a hero], but instead they're being selfless. That's pretty cool. You look at Star-Lord and once you find his origin story, there you go, man. He's our Luke Skywalker. That's our Peter Parker right there. In the fight [Drax] is amazing, but in between those fights not only does he not know what to do with himself but there are constantly people challenging him or trying to make their name on him. [Gamora] thinks her father is a monster and is going to do whatever she can to stop it. Rocket's got a whole thing going on in his past and it's all messed up and he's the only one of his kind. It's hilarious how much you end up caring about him, and how much he cares about Groot makes you care about him. You start with the gag, then all of a sudden they're the heart and soul of the piece."


While James Gunn has indeed met with writers DnA of Annihilation Conquest fame recently at the London offices of Marvel Studios, by all accounts it appears that Bendis is the main comic book consultant on the film. If the above isn't enough of an indication for you about the direction the film might be looking to go, here's what he directly shared about the film.

"It's fantastical imagination. It's the best of what comics and movies can do — here is a new world, here is a new agenda. When the first Iron Man movie was put on the schedule, a lot of people were commenting in the exact same way: 'He's not a household name like Spider-Man. I don't know…' It's almost the exact same conversation we're having about Guardians. The potential is definitely there."

Here's a preview of the first issue of Bendis and artist Steve McNiven's Guardians of the Galaxy which debuts March 27th. The film from James Gunn will hit US theaters August 1, 2014.

Guardians of the Galaxy Exclusive Preview by USA TODAY Comics



RELATED CONTENT:
Doing Business With Marvel Studios
James Gunn Meets With DnA On GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
Brian Michael Bendis Talks THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Source: USA Today
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MARVELPSYCHO79 - 3/12/2013, 5:33 PM
We need more GOTG casting news.
flames809 - 3/12/2013, 5:40 PM
i still think it wont do so good. I think it will end up like dread
theSHOCKER - 3/12/2013, 5:41 PM
Just do the annihilation books and you'll be good
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 3/12/2013, 5:43 PM
There you go guys.Star-Lord has his helmet and suit.
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 3/12/2013, 5:46 PM
I'm pretty sure the Badoon will be in the GOTG movie too.
Bandido - 3/12/2013, 5:49 PM
@MARVELPSYCHO79: I agree but so far so good with Chris Pratt being cast

This art is [frick]ing amazing btw, never read any GOTG comics before and the 0.1 issue sold won me over
StarkAnthony - 3/12/2013, 5:55 PM
That isn't the right helmet though, the other one is so cool
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 3/12/2013, 5:56 PM
@Bandido I wonder if Chris Pratt has started bulking up yet or when will he start.Production begins in June.
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 3/12/2013, 5:57 PM
I think this movie will be something special.GOTG is going to be great.
sephiroth211 - 3/12/2013, 5:58 PM
It's spelled Dredd. This movie will be nothing like Dredd for the simple fact it will have this stamped on it.



Dredd has a cult following overseas...not so much here in the states. That's what killed Dredd. If you read the last few sentences you'd know this will be nothing like Dredd.

"Rocket's got a whole thing going on in his past and it's all messed up and he's the only one of his kind. It's hilarious how much you end up caring about him, and how much he cares about Groot makes you care about him."


That alone will sell tickets. People and their blind hate for things. Smh.
OtakuPapi - 3/12/2013, 5:58 PM
@flames809: Dread did amazing, well beyond amazing on home video, so things are just a matter of promotion. And i honestly think this movie will do beyond what it's expected, if done properly this could be Marvel's Star Wars
ATrueHero1987 - 3/12/2013, 5:59 PM


Loved the 0.1 issue. Will subscribe next month. May have to drop a couple of titles.
DrDoom - 3/12/2013, 6:00 PM
Star-Lord had better have his goddamn helmet in the movie.
ATrueHero1987 - 3/12/2013, 6:01 PM
Star-Lord better have his real helmet when the series starts. It's unique.
ATrueHero1987 - 3/12/2013, 6:02 PM
@AcidicHeart I'm sure he does. That pic I posted, is concept art from the movie.
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 3/12/2013, 6:03 PM
Like people on CBM have already said,put the Marvel Studios banner on there and From The Studio That Brought You The Avengers on the posters and trailers, this will be a hit.And making a great movie will help too.
OriginalGuardiansPlease - 3/12/2013, 6:04 PM
i hate to tell Mr Bendis but Guardiand HAS an earth member.

Vance Astro
Bandido - 3/12/2013, 6:05 PM
@MARVELPSYCHO79: maybe?? Idk I don't think he is filming parks and rec right now so he probably already started
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 3/12/2013, 6:08 PM
@Bandido Parks and Rec should be getting ready to wrap shooting for this season.May is right around the corner.They have probably already finished shooting.
beane2099 - 3/12/2013, 6:10 PM
I like Stalord's helmet as much as the next guy, but I don't feel like it's a deal breaker if don't have it in movie. I mean what are youl folks gonna do if he doesn't? Break James Gunn's Legs?
MarkV - 3/12/2013, 6:11 PM
I'm not going to hate on this movie anymore. I think Marvel Studios has gone freakin' off the deep end, but I wish them all the best luck.
MARVELPSYCHO79 - 3/12/2013, 6:16 PM
I'm pretty sure Star-Lord will have a helmet in GOTG.
KelvTwelve - 3/12/2013, 6:23 PM
Gaurdians of the Galaxy will do great if they market it like Star Trek or something similar.
mawilli4 - 3/12/2013, 6:25 PM
I'm looking forward to this. Guardians was my favorite on DnA's run, and I'm hopeful for this. 0.1 was meh, goofed up where his gun came from, and his powers... read the Marvel Premiere.
StrangerX - 3/12/2013, 6:28 PM
I see this have a great comedic tone. For some reason I can actually picture Drax providing some comedy relief as well.
HavocPrime - 3/12/2013, 6:38 PM
what is with the random light dots covering Groot, and the armour though?
Lizardking310 - 3/12/2013, 6:41 PM
I'm hoping this movie is good and successful but I have my doubts there's just something about it..
MiracleMe - 3/12/2013, 6:48 PM
@OriginalGuardiansPlease-
Hell yeah! Vance Astro! The coolest NAME in comics...EVER!
VonArndt - 3/12/2013, 6:53 PM
How was it Bendis' idea to have an Earth member in Guardians? Starlord's been a member, and the leader, and an earthling since he formed the team when DnA wrote it. I think the movies gonna be closer to the '08 run and Bendis is just tryin to get the credit since he's rebooting the comic with the movie team line-up, just like last years terrible Avengers Assemble run
ComicFan1134 - 3/12/2013, 7:06 PM
I Think This Will Be Good If Done Right.
TheAbomination - 3/12/2013, 7:06 PM
Definitely my most anticipated Phase 2 movie!!! Bring on the Rocket Raccoon casting news!!!
Brokensteel1228 - 3/12/2013, 7:11 PM
what did they do to Starlord? His suit is terrible now!
chuckg313 - 3/12/2013, 7:15 PM
Hopes this opens up the cosmic side of marvel id love to see more of this stuff made!
shahrazstate - 3/12/2013, 7:17 PM
James Preston Rogers is the best choice for Drax the Destroyer.
VonArndt - 3/12/2013, 7:22 PM
They all look awful. Why change it when they already looked so damn cool. F you Bendis and Mcniven.
masterhater - 3/12/2013, 7:30 PM
Star-lord must have his helmet in the movie or else!!
I have a subscription of this series because I am so pumped on the movie. My most anticipated movie right now by far!!!
WEJAlen20 - 3/12/2013, 7:32 PM
Dear God NOOOO Batista for Drax and not BC he's a wrestler, BC he's Batista and he sucks
UltimateTypeface - 3/12/2013, 7:39 PM
Starlord is only half human, his old man is an Sparta or something.
Woodkid - 3/12/2013, 8:05 PM
starlord definitely needs his mask, but the helmet could also work in the film too...
DamienGrayson - 3/12/2013, 8:05 PM
I would rather he have no helmet than this new monstrosity... it looks like the new 52 Jay garrick flash costume, which is also cringe-worthy as hell. Everyone loves the original costume... just use it!!!!

The concept art that was first released got me so excited... if they follow the new comic... :(
Chewtoy - 3/12/2013, 8:05 PM
Seriously... [frick] Bendis for trying to horn in on the success that made them want to turn GotG into a film in the first place.
marvel72 - 3/12/2013, 8:07 PM
bendis is doing good right now all new x-men,uncanny x-men,guardians of the galaxy,daredevil end of days & age of ultron are all good reads.

need more news on the movie,its my most anticipated of phase 2 well except for the avengers sequel.
Shadowmaster35 - 3/12/2013, 8:13 PM
@OriginalGuardiansPlease
Yea dude, Quill is from Earth
Drax is from Earth
Moondragon is from Earth
Major Victory is from Earth
Jack Flag is from Earth

Took me a while tho to figure out that Major Victory is an alternate version of Justice tho. Freakin stocked for this movie tho!!!! Love me some Cosmic Marvel!!
superotherside - 3/12/2013, 8:24 PM
Star Lord still needs a mask. If he doesn't wear his mask most of the time like Iron Man I'm going to be mad. Everything else I think will be done properly.
KaneRomita - 3/12/2013, 8:24 PM
I really think Rocket Raccoon is going to break through.. Yes, it sounds stupid but he really is the best character on the team..

For those that wonder about Groot (and why wouldn't you?).. one cool thing DnA did was reveal that even though Groot only ever says one word -"GROOOT", he's actually crazy intelligent. Black Bolt's mad brother Maximxus was the only person who could understand what Groot was saying..

I HIGHLY recommend everyone read the previous run of GotG. If you love crazy Marvel Kirby Starlin Cosmic shit you wont' be disappointed.

I'll give the new series a shot but I have to say... it feels like the DnA run is getting erased.. I would love to eat more words and I will when the time comes...

Just saying - Don't hate on GotG.. They are most definitely cool.
ATrueHero1987 - 3/12/2013, 8:26 PM
I hope not only Marvel releases GOTG by DnA in Omnibus form(which they might do) but also the Annihilation series as well. Copies of Annihilation Book One is expensive!
KaneRomita - 3/12/2013, 8:26 PM
eat MY words.
KaneRomita - 3/12/2013, 8:31 PM
My big hope is that Mar-Vell will be introduced in GotG (the movie)
KaneRomita - 3/12/2013, 8:33 PM
Or at least the Kree...
UltimateTypeface - 3/12/2013, 8:50 PM
There could be some carpet munching action in this movie
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