Fun in the galaxy is everlasting. Volume 2 of Guardians of the Galaxy brings back humor, fun, and a unique and carefully selected musical playlist.

If it worked well the first time, how do you return with a fresh approach? Writer and director James Gunn answers. “We want to watch them become new people and different people in every film that we come up with. And I think allowing them to be themselves and do their thing. I know that sounds strange because I’m writing what they say, but sometimes I’m just letting I happen inside my own imagination and letting the characters go where they wanted to go.”

The evolution of the Guardians is grand. Penetrating the lives of these characters, a better understanding of their choices and humanity is revealed. An example is Yondu, played by Michael Rooker. Chris Pratt uses a favorite element of the film to elaborate. “I want you to come to your own conclusions and stuff, but, Yondu is shirtless. He’s essentially naked and really vulnerable. And you see that he’s just like had sex with these like crazy robot prostitutes or something from space. And there’s this look on his face, he never says a word, but you feel his pain. You know that he’s hurting inside, you know that he’s lonely and you know that he’s vulnerable. He adds, “It’s beautiful, man. It’s so good. And he doesn’t even say a word.” 

Similarly, James expresses his connection to the film on a personal level. “I feel like Rocket, you know. So I think that that, you know, that is for me it’s a very personal film. I have always felt like I didn’t belong. And fortunately, I have some people around me who maybe helped me feel like I’m not completely alone in the world.” He also understands Guardians of the Galaxy Volumes 1 and 2 to be rewarding as it reaches people across the globe. He says, “It’s a movie about outcasts for outcasts.”

Evidently, Guardians 2 resonates without leaving females behind. Zoe Saldana enthusiastically points out, “To have a film with three, three female characters that are adding such unique qualities to the film and they are very relevant and their relationships are explored deeply.” Nebula (Karen Gillan), Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) bring three distinct humans and contrasting female characters to life.

The president of Marvel, Kevin Feige expands on the subject. “There’s lots and lots of great female characters in the comics that we want to bring to life on screen and it was very important to James to include these characters and more than just include them, give them their own storyline and have it be more than just their ability to fight or romance with a male character and that’s why I think Nebula and Gamora are the, you know, high point of the movie and that relationship is one of the biggest and best arcs of the whole movie is that sister relationship.”  

No creature left behind! Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 calls everyone alike. “You know, the reason that I love Guardians is that all of these characters are, not only do they look different, it’s because you know, whatever color of their skin or fur on their backs… is… is sort of like describing to you how different they are on the inside from each other and yet there’s this increasing desire to belong and be accepted and be loved and not be abandoned, you know. And I don’t see the Guardians as these awesome, kicking ass superheroes.  I see them as these really delicate people that are just trying to get by day-by-day,” says Saldana.

Old and new characters join the galaxy. Laura Haddock is Meredith Quill, Elizabeth Debicki is Ayesha, Sylvester Stallone is Stakar Ogord, and Kurt Russell is Ego. While a Howard the Duck spin-off does not appear to be in the making (yet), Feige did say, “You know, the fun thing about Howard is he shows up where you least expect him, so like who knows where he’s going to appear next?”

In case you’re wondering, director James Gunn confirms ‘Vol. 3  is happening.’

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 lands in theaters on May 5.