Sure, "Guardians of the Galaxy" was filled to the brim with funny quips like all of Marvel's films. But the setting, structure and content was so drastically different that it became a hit by standing apart from the more formulaic entries into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following up on that thread, writer/director James Gunn plans to do the same thing with the sequel "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" instead of folding the movie into some sort of pre-game for "Avengers: Infinity War."
During a live Facebook Q&A, which you can check out on Gunn's Facebook page, the filmmaker answered several questions, including one regarding possible connections between "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." Here's how he responded:
"I'm a lot more concerned with Vol. 2 than I am with Infinity Wars. The way the movie [Vol. 2] is structured and made - it really is a story unto itself. It's not about leading up to anything else. It's about the Guardians and their lives."
Based on those comments, we can assume that "Vol. 2" will again play around in its own section of the Universe without any direct references or cross-overs with the main MCU storyline (Thanos aside). Given that the movie will be followed by "Spider-Man," "Thor: Ragnarok," and "Black Panther," there are a handful of opportunities for Marvel to more directly set up the primary conflict with The Mad Titan. Specifically, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said he wants "Ragnarok" to change the MCU's landscape in a similar fashion as "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." If Marvel follows through on that plan, it would be a perfect launching pad for an "Infinity War" prelude.
Given that Dave Bautista recently said that Drax The Destroyer will be more of a focus in the sequel, and that Gunn has already admitted to introducing at least one new character, it makes sense that Marvel would keep the "Guardians" franchise as its own separate entity for now.
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" is schedule to hit theaters on May 5, 2017.
