One of the biggest surprises (and I mean that quite literally in this case) to come out ofMarvel Studios’Comic-Con panel at Hall H was the confirmation of the cast ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.TheJames Gunn-directed sequel was expected to deal with some parental issues, as indicated by the movie’s synopsis. But like anything else Gunn does (or in the world of comic books in general), a father-son story comes with a planet-sized twist.
During the panel, Marvel Studios chiefKevin Feigetreated the gathered fans to a surprise appearance from returning cast membersChris Pratt(Peter Quill),Zoe Saldana(Gamora),Dave Bautista(Drax),Karen Gillan(Nebula), andMichael Rooker(Yondu). Thebiggestsurprise, however, came with the confirmations of new additionsKurt Russell(Ego),Pom Klementieff(Mantis), andElizabeth Debicki(Ayesha).
Yes, that’s right, Russell will be playingEgo, the Living Planet. And to make things crazier, he’s also been confirmed as Peter Quill’s father. I’m not entirely sure how that’s going to work out, but in the universe ofGuardians of the Galaxy, anything’s possible, I suppose. Ego entered into existence like other planets, gradually growing larger and larger by accumulating materials over millions of years … but when the cosmic being known as theStrangerinfused the planet with a consciousness, it became a living, sentient world. That world went on to have many adventures, surprisingly, sometimes interacting with other worlds and cosmic beings, sometimesfighting against the Mad Titan Thanos, and sometimes paying Rocket Raccoon to scour its surface of aspace lice infestation. How Ego will play into Quill’s parentage, I have no idea, unless Russell is simultaneously playing his fatherandvoicing Ego.
Update:Here’s a look at the costume Russell will wear as Quill’s father:
Lost in the news about Russell is the reveal of Debicki’s character,Ayesha. Also known as “Her,” Ayesha was the result of a group of scientists called the Enclave attempting to create a perfect being. She was the second such creature, the first being dubbed “Him” (a.k.a.Adam Warlock). Interestingly enough,Doctor Strangewas brought in by the Enclave to perform brain surgery on Ayesha in order to make her more easily controlled. (Spoiler: It didn’t work.) Paragon, as she is also known, also once retreated into her cocoon to meditate upon her own existence, so that’s a thing that should be familiar to folks who pored over every frame of Gunn’s originalGotG.
Gunn himself shares alotof info and insight into how his movie’s characters will differ below:
Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.
For more onGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which opens July 04, 2025, be sure to get caught up with our most recent coverage below, andclick herefor our recap of the film’s Comic-Con panel and footage.
