Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is an upcoming sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy and the fifteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is scheduled to be released on May 5, 2017.

Plot
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.

Cast

 * Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord
 * Zoe Saldana as Gamora
 * Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer
 * Bradley Cooper as Rocket
 * Vin Diesel as Groot
 * Michael Rooker as Yondu Udonta
 * Karen Gillan as Nebula
 * Pom Klementieff as Mantis
 * Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha
 * Chris Sullivan as Taserface
 * Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri
 * Sylvester Stallone as Starhawk
 * Kurt Russell as Ego, The Living Planet
 * Aaron Schwartz as Young Ego
 * Glenn Close as Irani Rael
 * Evan Jones as Wretch
 * Jimmy Urine as Half-Nut
 * Stephen Blackehart as Brahl
 * Joe Fria as Oblo
 * Terence Rosemore as Narblik
 * Steven Agee as Gef the Ravager
 * Tommy Flanagan as Tullk
 * Mike Escamilla as Scrote
 * Don Johnson as Ravagers member
 * Nathan Fillion as Simon Williams
 * Michael Rosenbaum as a to-be-confirmed character.
 * Laura Haddock as Meredith Quill

Continuity and References to the Marvel Cinematic Universe

 * Peter Quill/Star-Lord appears.
 * Gamora appears.
 * Drax the Destroyer appears.
 * Rocket appears.
 * Groot appears.
 * Yondu Udonta appears.
 * Nebula appears.
 * Kraglin Obfonteri appears.
 * Irani Rael appears.
 * Meredith Quill appears.
 * Starhawk is introduced.
 * Ego, Star-Lord's Father is introduced.
 * Kree are mentioned.
 * Mantis is introduced.
 * Simon Williams is introduced.
 * Tony Stark is mentioned.
 * Sneepers are introduced.

Production
In July 2014, co-screenwriter Nicole Perlman on the first film confirmed a sequel, saying it was "going to happen" due to the positive response, and confirmed that James Gunn would write and direct. On July 26, 2014, at San Diego Comic Con 2014, a sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy was officially confirmed to be in development, with a release date of July 28, 2017. Also in July, Gunn stated he knew "a lot of where I want to go [in the sequel]. I have a lot of ideas for stories and characters that are going to appear, and there are documents written up." Gunn added that he hoped to more about Quill's father and his relationship with his son, Yondu Udonta, Drax, and Nebula, as well as expand on Xandarian, Kree, Krylorian and Ravager culture.

In August 2014, Gunn stated that "at least one more Guardian from the comics" should appear in the sequel, and revealed that he had started working on the film.

In September 2014, Gunn stated he hoped to introduce more female characters in the sequel, and in October, confirmed that all five original Guardians would return, along with other characters from the original, with the possibility of more team members joining.

In October 2014, Gunn stated that he'd like to see the Collector show up in the film, but was uncertain about his involvement in the film, saying that he may show up in another Marvel film.

In November 2014, when asked about how the film will connect with the other Phase Three films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Gunn said, "I don't feel beholden to that stuff at all. I think it's really about the Guardians and what they are doing. We're not subservient to the Avengers. Guardians 2 is not a movie that's made to move toward [Avengers: Infinity War]. It's something that's made to move toward future cosmic movies, so I don't feel that that is something that affects me that much".

In March 2015, Gunn revealed that filming would take place in Atlanta, Georgia with "major crew changes" from the first film, and that Karen Gillan would return as Nebula as well as his brother, Sean Gunn. Also in the month, Vin Diesel confirmed he would return as Groot.

In May 2015, Gunn revealed that talks are underway with an actor he had in mind to fulfill the "new Guardian" role in the film.

In June 2015, Gunn revealed that the first draft of the script has been completed and that Tyler Bates will be returning to score the film. Also in the month, Gunn confirmed the title of the film after Kevin Feige revealed it during the press junket for Ant-Man.

In October 2015, Zoe Saldana confirmed that del Toro will reprise his role as The Collector in the film. Although in January 2016, Del Toro stated that he doesnt think he'll appear in the film.

In November 2015, Pom Klementieff was cast in a key role in the film.

Filming
Filming is slated to take place in February-March 2016 at Pinewood Atlanta Studios. Principal photography began on February 11, 2016.

Trivia

 * Announced a week before the release of Guardians of the Galaxy at San Diego Comic-Con 2014.
 * Originally set for a July 2017 release, it was pushed ahead to May 5, 2017.
 * In a vlog, November 2015, Vin Diesel (Groot voice actor) announced he'd received his copy of the script for Guardians of the Galaxy v2 and stated later in the video that: "dancing is such a big part of this script."
 * Gunn revealed that he wanted to use Sneepers, an alien race that first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1964, as background characters in the film but was advised against it by Marvel's legal department because the name was too similar to snípur, the Icelandic word for "clitoris". The Marvel legal department later cleared the use of Sneepers in the film, in part because of all the media coverage the initial post received.
 * According to Gunn, the film will not feature John C. Reilly's Rhomann Dey, Benicio del Toro's Taneleer Tivan or Thanos. Although, Gunn had conversations with John C. Reilly about reprising his role as Dey and Zoe Saldana stated that Del Toro would be returning for the film.
 * Gunn stated that "not much" of the Infinity Stones will be mentioned in the film.
 * In an interview, James Gunn said that most of the questions will be answered in this movie that remained unanswered in the first part.
 * It is rumored that Beta Ray Bill will appear in this film. Bill is also rumored to appear in Thor: Ragnarok, and later show up to help the Avengers in Avengers: Infinity War.
 * After many rumors, Karen Gillan will reprise her role as Nebula without shaving her head.
 * It was revealed by James Gunn that he and Kevin Feige wanted David Bowie to appear in a cameo before his death on January 10, 2016.
 * Kurt Russell, Gary Oldman, Viggo Mortensen and Liam Neeson have been linked to the role of Star Lord's father. Russell stated he has been approached for the role but is yet to announce if he would accept; this was due to the fact he was yet to see Guardians of the Galaxy.
 * Kurt Russell has been confirmed to star in this movie on February 16 2016.
 * James Gunn clearly stated that this sequel won't set up the Avengers: Infinity War.
 * The film's subtitle is a nod to Star Lord's Awesome Mix Vol. 1 tape from Guardians of the Galaxy.
 * It was announced on June 29th, 2015, that the title would be, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"
 * Al Pacino is rumored to play the role of Starlord's father. He recently had a meeting with producer, Kevin Feige, about a role in an upcoming marvel film. James Gunn recently tweeted he wanted to work with Al Pacino which hints on a Pacino appearance in GOTG 2. Al Pacino could possibly be playing the role as Adam Warlock, who has an involvement with Thanos and the Infinity Stones.
 * Matthew McConaughey was considered to play the villain in this movie, but passed on the role.
 * Nathan Fillion is confirmed to play Simon Williams, a.k.a Wonder Man. Several photos of a film festival starring Simon Williams (portrayed by Nathan Fillion) have leaked.
 * There were strong refrences of superhero 'Nova' in the first movie and it was believed he'd appear in the sequel but James Gunn said he has no plans to bring the character to the big screen.
 * It is rumored that Howard The Duck could appear.
 * Christoph Waltz, Christopher Plummer, and Max von Sydow are rumored to be linked to the role of Ego the Living Planet the film's villain.
 * Nebula is rumored to possibly be the main villain.
 * On March 23rd, 2016, Chris Pratt announced a fundraiser to help support the Lake Stevens Boys and Girls Club from where he grew up. By donating, you would get a chance to visit Pratt and eat lunch with him on the set of GOTG2.
 * It will be the first film shot on RED's WEAPON 8K digital camera. It is the digital equivalent to VistaVision, a higher definition 35mm format developed in the 1950's.
 * Fourth collaboration between James Gunn and Michael Rooker. Gunn has directed Rooker in Slither, Super, Guardians of the Galaxy and this film. The last three all being superhero films.
 * According to James Gunn, John C. Really couldn't reprise his role as Corpsman Dey, due to scheduling conflicts.
 * A rumor reports that Mar-Vell/Captain Marvel will be Star-Lord's father, but James Gunn denied the rumors.
 * Cast members Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone previously worked together inTango & Cash.
 * Kurt Russell has appeared in many Disney films over the past fifty years. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will be his first Disney film, and first superhero film, in twelve years, since Sky High.
 * Unlike the last film where it was just his voice, Vin Diesel will also provide motion capture for Groot.
 * Vin Diesel and Kurt Russell appeared in Furious 7 and The Fate of the Furious.