THE HEART BEHIND THE VISION OF ‘GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2’

“Guardians of the Galaxy” was just the warm-up.

Two years ago, writer and director James Gunn and his cranky, lovable band of multihued misfits in space seemed like a sort of gamble for the Earth-bound Marvel Studios and its ever-growing plans for total multiplex domination. Star Lord wasn’t exactly a household name, and neither was Chris Pratt.

Now as “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” prepares for launch in North American theaters today, the story is quite different. “Guardians of the Galaxy” was a huge critical and financial success, grossing over $773 million worldwide, Pratt became an international star, and Gunn was given the greenlight to do what he wanted once more - making “Vol. 2”