Lex Luthor wasn’t the only billionaire in the metahuman business during the events of Superman. The Lord Tech-sponsored Justice Gang helped out David Corenswet’s Man of Steel during the 2025 movie, and Maxwell Lord even cameoed to tell the world that Luthor sucks. We’ll spend a little more time with Lord when Peacemaker Season 2 premieres tomorrow on the 2025 TV schedule tomorrow, but in the meantime, James Gunn shared a take on his younger brother Sean Gunn’s character that, while interesting, also has me suspicious.

The elder Gunn, who co-runs DC Studios, wrote and directed Superman, and created Peacemaker, brought up Maxwell Lord while talking about Lex Luthor’s fall from grace in the DC Universe. The filmmaker noted how Nicholas Hoult’s character has done “some really great things for the world,” including creating a battery that makes cars run more efficiently. However, when Superman came along, the Kryptonian made Luthor “feel like shit, so he’s been sort of obsessed with him ever since and has gone evil.” In contrast, James Gunn said this about Sean’s version of Lord:

This appraisal of Maxwell Lord’s characterization came as James Gunn was speaking with Rainn Wilson, whom he directed in 2010’s Super, for Interview Magazine about the three “factions” that hold power in the DCU: metahumans, governments and corporations. He further explained that the four corporations “vying for another type of world domination” are Luthor Corp, Lord Tech, Stagg Industries and Wayne Enterprises. In Lord Tech’s case, it’s looking to earn the public’s goodwill with a superhero team consisting of Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific and, as of the end of Superman, Metamorpho.

So while money is still Maxwell Lord’s chief interest since he’s running a corporation, he falls more into the good guy category than the bad guy one, at least compared to Lex Luthor. The thing is, I don’t think this is always going to be the case. In the comics, Lord starts out as the Justice League International’s benefactor, but then he gained mind control powers and eventually went full supervillain. Him shooting Ted Kord, the second Blue Beetle, in the head in the pages of DC Countdown #1 remains one of DC Comics’ most shocking moments.

Now an argument could be made that Sean Gunn’s Maxwell Lord will simply remain the man running the Justice Gang, but I’m personally not buying that. Just like Pedro Pascal’s Lord in Wonder Woman 1984, something will push the DCU’s Lord into villainy, whether it involves him mind-controlling people or not. When that day comes, he’ll have a lot more in common with Lex Luthor, and frankly, Stagg Industries head Simon Stagg is hardly an upstanding citizen either. Oh well, at least we don’t have to worry about the guy running Wayne Enterprises turning to the dark side… that would just be batty.

In addition to still playing in theaters, Superman can also now be purchased digitally. Make sure you’re subscribed to HBO Max to see Maxwell Lord’s appearance in Peacemaker Season 2, and keep visiting CinemaBlend for more news about the DCU.

Just like how he played Kraglin and the on-set Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy saga, Sean Gunn has multiple roles under his belt over in the DC Universe, which is also spearheaded by his brother James. We’ve already seen/heard him as Weasel in The Suicide Squad and Creature Commandos, and the latter animated series, which can be streamed with a Max subscription, also saw him voicing G.I. Robot. On top of that, we’ll meet Sean’s version of Maxwell Lord in James Gunn’s Superman. There’s now a new rumor claiming how Lord will be used in the upcoming DC movie, and if it’s true, I find it hilariously ironic for source material reasons.

With just two months to go until Superman flies onto the 2025 movies schedule, Sean Gunn recently confirmed that he’s “kinda in” the reboot, and that only happened because he got permission from James, who wrote the screenplay and directed, to say something. If online scooper MyTimeToShineHello (via ComicBookMovie) is to be believed, we’ll barely see Maxwell Lord in the DC Universe’s first movie, with them saying:

Before going any further, I should point out that even if Maxwell Lord only appears in this one scene, his influence is expected to be felt throughout Superman. That’s because it seems like he’s the sponsor of the superhero team in the movie that’s comprised of Mr. Terrific, Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl and Metamorpho. So while Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor has sinister plans in motion during Superman, at least Lord is looking to accomplish some good with these heroes that will fight alongside David Corenswet’s Clark Kent

That being said, to have a line like this come out of Maxwell Lord’s mouth, whether it’s the exact thing he says or just an approximation, is funny considering that like Lex Luthor, Lord also becomes a supervillain in the comics. Initially presented as the Justice League International’s benefactor, he later gained mind control powers and shifted to a full-blown criminal mastermind, with his most despicable act arguably being when he shot Ted Kord, the second Blue Beetle, in the head. Pedro Pascal’s Maxwell Lord also served as Wonder Woman 1984’s main antagonist, although his MO differed greatly from his printed page predecessor.

While it’s too early to say with 100% certainty if Sean Gunn’s Maxwell Lord will turn to the dark side, I’d say the chances are pretty strong. Gunn will be playing the character across the entire DC Universe, and while we don’t know yet when he’ll be prominently feature in one of the forthcoming movies or perhaps one of the upcoming DC TV shows, I find it hard to believe that he’ll just be running this superhero team. If/when the day comes he goes full baddie, then maybe there will be a fellow billionaire industrialist insulting him on TV.

It won’t be much longer until our first taste of Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, as Superman flies into theaters on July 11. We’ll also hear more of the actor as Weasel and G.I. Robot whenever Creature Commandos Season 2 premieres on Max.

Gilmore Girls was not just a hit that ran for seven seasons in the early 2000s, but a show that’s still beloved by fans to the point where a sequel miniseries was made in 2016 (which you can watch with your Netflix subscription), nine years after the original finale. It’s also one of the most rewatchable shows ever that gives fans a nostalgic experience, but if you’ve recently completed a binge of the family dramedy, then it’s good that we have a list for you of 32 movies and shows that feature the Gilmore Girls cast. Enjoy!

Supernatural (2005-2020)

Sure, this list could have started anywhere, but why not start with the portrayer of (mostly) sweet Dean, Jared Padalecki? His supporting role on Gilmore Girls couldn’t have prepared fans for his hugely successful run as the creature-of-the-night hunting Sam Winchester on Supernatural. The series ran for 15 seasons and has tons of amazing episodes, especially if you enjoy spooky stuff.

How To Get Away With Murder (2014-2020)

Overall, most of the players from GG saw a boost in their careers after the show, and likely helped make it possible for Liza Weil, who played the ever-stressed Paris Geller, to eventually make her way to a major role on the thrilling ABC hit, How to Get Away with Murder.

The O.C. (2003-2007)

Is bringing up Fox’s early aughts mega-hit teen drama The O.C. this quickly a bit of a cheat? Sure, but we can’t deny that without the popularity of his Dave Rygalski in Season 3, we might never have gotten actor Adam Brody as the funny, loyal, Summer-obsessed Seth Cohen in one of the defining teen shows of all time.

The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-2021)

Much like viewers were probably not prepared to watch Padalecki fight monsters after his time on Gilmore Girls, I doubt most could have expected to see star Alexis Bledel take on Dr. Emily Malek, the strong-willed and rebellious Handmaid first known as Ofglen. She won an Emmy Award for her role, so this is one drama not to miss.

Parenthood (2010-2015)

There might be no character more strong-willed, funny and quirky than Lorelei Gilmore, who was brought to life so exceptionally by Lauren Graham. If that character description sounds a lot like Sarah Braverman-Holt from NBC’s family drama, Parenthood, then you get why Graham was a perfect fit for both.

Bride & Prejudice (2004)

A small role is a role nonetheless, and if you check out the amazing Jane Austen-inspired rom-com, Bride & Prejudice, you’ll see Bledel as Georgie Darcy, Will’s younger sister.

The Good Wife (2009-2016)

Say what you will about being Team Logan, but the Huntzberger boy still has his supporters even today. This is probably because Matt Czuchry did such a good job portraying him, much like he did the charming go-getter Cary Agos on CBS’ legal drama, The Good Wife.

Fire Country (2024)

As one of the biggest dramas on CBS, Fire Country is hard to miss and even harder to dislike. That’s why it’s the perfect show to check out to see Jared Padalecki as the still-grieving firefighter Camden Casey during Season 3.

Saw IV (2007)

Honestly, were you expecting to see something as horrific as Saw IV on this list? Well, you might be even more surprised to know that Scott Patterson, who played Luke Danes, appeared in a total of three Saw films as determined FBI agent Peter Strahm.

This Is Us (2016-2022)

Can you imagine if anyone has forgotten This Is Us? NBC’s family drama was an immediate success, with the trailer for the very first season racking up a staggering number of views. Of course, you can revel in your Team Jess status by watching Milo Ventimiglia portray loving patriarch Jack Pearson.

13 Reasons Why (2017-2018)

13 Reasons Why is a teen drama that made major waves during its run on Netflix, but you might not know that Keiko Agena, who brought Lane Kim to life on GG, spent the first two seasons playing the kind and protective communications teacher, Pamela Bradley.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)

If you can be in the mood for a holiday film all year long, then 2024’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever should be added to your viewing calendar. In it, Lauren Graham brings her signature charm to the role of Beth Bradley.

Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

Of all the GG actors who one might have expected to appear in a giant blockbuster franchise, few fans would likely have bet on the actor who gave us the wonderfully nice but odd Kirk Gleason, Sean Gunn. After a supporting role as Kraglin in the original Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, he’s now reprised the part in seven MCU films and TV series.

Bridesmaids (2011)

For the first time on this list, we get to Melissa McCarthy, who played beloved chef Sookie St. James. She was in several projects after Gilmore Girls ended, but the comedy hit Bridesmaids, where she played the loyal but crude and somewhat erratic Megan, launched her career into the stratosphere. She received an Oscar nomination for her work, so it’s not to be missed.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (2020-2021)

The jukebox musical dramedy series, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, was a treat, but if you missed its two seasons on NBC, know that Lauren Graham played a major role in Season 1 as Zoey’s strict boss, Joan.

The Cleaning Lady (2022-Now)

Any show about gangsters needs a good cop investigating and trying to bring them down, and Liza Weil has starred as confident and cunning FBI agent Katherine Russo on The Cleaning Lady for the thriller’s entire run so far.

The Heat (2013)

Need a wild action comedy about two mismatched officers (one a prim, by-the-book FBI agent, and the other a crass, quick-to-anger, by-any-means-necessary local cop) who have to get along enough to get a drug lord off the streets? Then you should watch Melissa McCarthy as police detective Shannon Mullins ASAP.

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (2021-2022)

This follow-up to The Mighty Ducks film franchise hit Disney+ and brought GG fans more of Lauren Graham, as she starred as Alex Morrow, who forms and then coaches a new underdog hockey team after her son is cut by the Ducks.

The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants (2005)

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a two-film franchise that still means a lot to those who were young women at the time it was released. There’s no better time than now to revisit (or watch for the first time) Alexis Bledel as Lena in both films.

An Unmarried Woman (1978)

Here’s a throwback for you. The 1978 romantic comedy-drama, An Unmarried Woman, features a performance from none other than Emily Gilmore herself, Kelly Bishop, as Elaine, a good friend of the title character.

The Lost Boys (1987)

Alright, this one’s technically a throwback, too, it just doesn’t go back quite as far. But, The Lost Boys is a definite teen horror classic, along with talents like Kiefer Sutherland and Corey Feldman, stars Richard Gilmore actor, Edward Hermann, in an important role.

Prodigal Son (2019-2021)

This Fox crime drama may not have lasted long, but it certainly had a dedicated fanbase, and some of that was likely because of Keiko Agena’s work as the kind, trusting, and socially awkward medical examiner, Dr. Edrisa Tanaka.

Sullivan’s Crossing (2023-2024)

The family drama, Sullivan’s Crossing, came to The CW with a treat for Gilmore Girls fans, as it brought Scott Patterson back to the network as the estranged father, Sully, of the lead character, big city neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan, who returns to her small Nova Scotia town after a scandal.

Mike & Molly (2010-2016)

The long-running comedy Mike & Molly is another of Melissa McCarthy’s post-GG projects. This CBS hit saw the titular couple fall in love after a health-related meet-cute, and work on their relationship while attempting to deal with their often wacky families and friends, and life’s many ups and downs. Check it out for McCarthy’s Emmy-winning performance.

Sin City (2005)

Based on the comic book series of the same name, Sin City is a noirish, action-filled crime drama that just so happens to feature Alexis Bledel as a…well, not entirely trustworthy participant in the rampant criminal shenanigans that abound in the sinful city of the title.

The John Larroquette Show (1993-1996)

One of the very few series to take place in St. Louis, Missouri, The John Larroquette Show was a sitcom that saw the actor portray the night manager of a run-down downtown bus station, with Liz Torres, who played the bubbly and gossipy dance teacher Miss Patty on Gilmore Girls, as his secretary. Torres received two Emmy nominations for her work here, so it’s definitely worth a watch.

The Resident (2018-2023)

Considering the number of medical shows that tend to fill the airwaves, it’s a bit of a surprise that it’s taken this long to get to one, but it is a pretty fine one. The Resident stars Matt Czuchry as the conceited (but still somehow charming) Dr. Conrad Hawkins, a third-year resident who practices with unconventional techniques and a knowledge of the business of medicine who’s determined to stop younger residents from putting their chosen profession on a pedestal.

All In The Family (1971-1978)

If you haven’t yet watched the classic ‘70s sitcom, All In the Family, you’re missing out. Not only does the Norman Lear series use its humor to tackle a number of hot-button issues that are still very relevant for today’s audiences, but it also features Sally Struthers (she was Lorelei and Rory’s nosy neighbor in Stars Hollow, Babette) in her Emmy-winning role as Gloria, the somewhat childish, college-aged daughter of Archie and Edith Bunker.

Walker (2021-2024)

After his immensely successful run on Supernatural, Jared Padalecki moved right on to yet another show on The CW. This one, Walker, was a reimagining of the long-running Chuck Norris hit Walker, Texas Ranger, which saw Padalecki take on the lead role as he returned home after being undercover for two years while trying to reconnect with his teenage children and figure out how his wife really died.

True Blood (2008-2014)

Here’s one that’s easy to miss, even if you’re a die-hard Gilmore Girls fan. Among the many characters, human and supernatural, who populated the HBO vampire series True Blood for seven seasons, you see plenty of Merlotte's Bar & Grill short order cook, the kind but troubled Terry Bellefleur. But, did you know that he’s portrayed by Todd Lowe, the same guy who brought us Hep Alien’s dim, womanizing, guitar-playing, lead-singing wanna-be rock star Zack Van Gerbig? Well, now you do!

Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)

Melissa MacCarthy was able to hit the Academy Awards red carpet as a nominee again when she starred in the biographical film Can You Ever Forgive Me? As writer Lee Israel. It’s based on Israel’s memoir of the same name, where she talks about her attempt to revive her writing career by forging letters from deceased celebrities and selling them. This critically acclaimed drama is one not to miss.

Spy (2015)

Last, but not least, we have another of Melissa McCarthy’s winning comedies in Spy. The movie follows CIA employee Susan Cooper, who is only allowed to assist her James Bond-esque partner via a desk job at the home office and an earpiece. But, when an operation goes wrong and leads to her partner’s death, Susan volunteers to go into the field and get to the bottom of things. Seeing as how this is a McCarthy film, you can bet that the situation gets hilariously out of hand before all is said and done, and you’ll be better for it!

As you can clearly see, while Gilmore Girls has been off the air for nearly 20 years, not only has it not been forgotten, but its stars have continued to keep us entertained in a number of other TV shows and movies, and hopefully will for many years to come!

For decades in superhero comics, there has been an ongoing competition between DC and Marvel. The two biggest names in superheroes have created some of the medium’s most iconic characters, and while there is no reason to pick sides, many fans have. That's despite the fact that many actors and directors have worked on both sides of the aisle, most notably James Gunn.

After directing three amazing Guardians of the Galaxy movies James Gunn is now the co-head of DC Studios, and has directed the first in the new cinematic universe of upcoming DC movies, Superman. His brother, Sean Gunn, who worked with James on the Guardians movies, has made the move with him playing Maxwell Lord in the DCU, with his first appearance reportedly being as a member of the Superman cast. However, Sean told Kristian Harloff that he’s more than willing to work with Marvel again should the opportunity arise, saying:

While a lot of fans draw lines between Marvel and DC, James Gunn had not been a fan of comic book fan wars even years before he got involved with DC. He clearly loverd all the characters and it certainly seems like his brother feels the same way. There’s no real reason to pick one side or the other as a fan.

The same goes when you’re a working actor. Sean Gunn admits that part of his profession involves always looking for work, and while there may be good reasons to turn down a job now and then, he’s not always in a position to say no to good work. If he can work for Marvel and DC at the same time, he’s happy to do so, though he’s not expecting that at this point. He continued:

While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 teased a future for Star-Lord in its closing credits, the fact that he was singled out would seem to indicate no immediate plans for the new Guardians of the Galaxy. Of course, if they ever do get called on to return, it will mean lots of work for Gunn, as he’s both Kraglin and the physical stand in for Rocket Raccoon.

The comic book genre continues to be super popular, with a number of shared universes battling at the box office. The DCEU as we knew it ended with Aquaman 2 (which is streaming with a Max subscription), and fans are looking to how the upcoming DC movies will change things up thanks to James Gunn's new DCU. We'll get new takes on beloved characters, and Superman’s Sean Gunn explains how his take on Maxwell Lord differs from Pedro Pascal’s, saying "no one is gonna confuse me and Pedro." Let's break it all down.

What we know about Superman is limited, but fans are eager to see the first chapter of the new DCU, as well as the beginning of Gods and Monsters. The cast of Superman has plenty of familiar faces, including Sean Gunn as a new take on Maxwell Lord. Pedro Pascal played that character in Wonder Woman 1984 just a few years ago, we shouldn't expect similar takes on him. During an appearance on The Kristian Harloff Show, Gunn spoke about the discrepancy between performances, offering:

There you have it. While he and Pascal would have played the same role, it sounds like their takes on the Maxwell Lord will be quite different from each other. This is part of the fun of the superhero genre, and comic book lore in general. And with Sean Gunn working with his brother and frequent collaborator on Superman, smart money says he felt comfortable taking big swings as the character.

Despite how early it is in the DCU, Gunn is already playing three roles. In addition to portraying Maxwell Lord in live-action he's voicing two characters in Creature Commandos including Weasel. Still, fans are wondering how Lord will factor into the action of David Corenswet's debut as Clark Kent. As a reminder, you can check out the first Superman trailer below:

Obviously this footage is limited, so Maxwell Lord doesn't get to appear just yet. We saw only brief glimpses of Superman's other heroes, as well as plenty of time with Corenswet's title role. Plus Krypto was the real scene stealer in this limited footage.

To note, there's been some backlash about James Gunn hiring Sean Gunn to play Maxwell Lord. The push back is mostly related to him already voicing two roles in Creature Commandos, and (presumably) his familial connection to James Gunn. But the Gilmore Girls alum is clearly experienced within the superhero genre, playing Kraglin and standing in for Rocket during the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription).

All will be revealed when Superman hits theaters on July 11th. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.

As the resident Superhero Junkie at CinemaBlend, I can’t get enough of the ins and outs, and behind-the-scenes stories involving the creation of the best comic book movies of our generation. It has been jaw-dropping, the films that Marvel Studios and DC Films have worked to bring to life for comic fans over the past 30 years. And by all indications, 2025 is going to mark a significant turning point in the genre, as Kevin Feige pilots the MCU toward Avengers: Doomsday and James Gunn preps the skies for the return of Superman.

But as James Gunn pulls back the curtain on the development of the new DCU, which officially kicked off with the animated series Creature Commandos, It’s hard not to marvel over the fact that the writer-director almost lost his career, and likely wouldn’t be working in Hollywood if not for his rare talents, and a few lucky breaks. Speaking with Kristian Harloff, James’s brother and frequent collaborator Sean Gunn opened up about James getting fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – he’d eventually be re-hired – and the door it eventually opened at DC and Warner Bros. And when he talks about it, you realize just how rare off an opportunity this has been for the gifted storyteller.

Sean Gunn told Harloff:

The “something” that they talked about would grow to become the co-head of DC Films, alongside producer Peter Safran. James Gunn has talked at length about their collaboration, with Gunn handling the creative aspects, and Safran drilling down on the business specifics. So far, it’s been off to a strong start, as both Creature Commandos and the initial Superman trailer have been well received by critics and fans.

First, though, Gunn had to prove himself. And that meant finding a sweet spot at DC. As Sean Gunn explained:

There are so many fascinating elements to that decision. It’s so rare that a studio would greenlight another version of a story that they’d recently told… and botched, severely. Then, the second movie worked so well that they kept James Gunn in the fold, giving him a Peacemaker spinoff while he returned to Marvel Studios to wrap his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. For a while, Gunn was straddling the imaginary line that separates Marvel and DC – one of the precious few, so far, to try such a feat. The fact that he pulled it off, and parlayed it into his new DC position, is nothing short of amazing.

As Sean Gunn points out, talent still goes a long way in Hollywood. DC wouldn’t turn their operations over to just anyone. And Marvel Studios knew that only James Gunn could have concluded a trilogy as personal as the Guardians, so they made amends and brought him back into the family.

I, personally, am amazed at the journey James Gunn has taken through the trenches of the comic-book movie landscape, and I’m thrilled by his slate of upcoming DC movies, which includes Superman in 2025 and continues to add exciting pieces such as Jason Momoa’s Lobo, with more to come.

When James Gunn was handed the reins of the DCU we knew we would be in for some big changes. While most eyes are on Gunn’s currently in-production Superman movie, the upcoming DC movie won’t be the first part of the DCU Gods and Monsters storyline. The first piece of the new cinematic universe we will get is the animated Creature Commandos series, and James Gunn’s brother is getting us hyped for the series by promising us much more of fan-favorite Weasel.

Before being hired as the new co-head of DC Films, James Gunn directed The Suicide Squad, which introduced the character of Weasel, while that movie technically may not be canon to the new franchise, Sean Gunn, who voiced and provided motion capture for Weasel in that film, will be back for the Creature Commandos series. Speaking recently at Orlando MegaCon (via Heroic Hollywood) Gunn promises people who want to know more about Weasel will have their wish granted. He explained…

Weasel was a popular character in The Suicide Squad, despite the fact that he didn’t actually do that much. He’s part of the initial Suicide Squad team that gets obliterated on screen, though Weasel doesn’t even make it that far, appearing to accidentally drown before even making it to the beach. However, a mid-credits scene in The Suicide Squad reveals that Weasel survives. 

Whether or not this is even the same Weasel in Creature Commandos isn’t entirely clear, but Sean Gunn will play the role for a second time nonetheless. James Gunn has also said that actors who voice DCU characters in animation are also going to be playing them in live-action. The Creature Commandos are traditionally a military team made up of monsters. The Creature Commandos cast that we know of also includes the likes of Frank Grillo, Alan Tudyk, and David Harbour among others. 

Weasel is just one character from The Suicide Squad who has survived the transition from the previous DC universe to the new one. John Cena, who played Peacemaker will be back for a second season of his show, and Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller is also slated to get her own show.

Weasel was good for a few jokes in The Suicide Squad, so it will be interesting to see how the character works when given a bit more time and apparently a lot more depth. The exact release date for Creature Commandos hasn’t been announced, but the show is expected to arrive on Max sometime this year. 

The superhero genre continues to be super popular, thanks to various cinematic universes that are competing at the box office and via streaming services. This includes DC, which is forming a new shared universe thanks to new co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran. The first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters, with casting slowly coming out for various upcoming DC movies. And Gunn recently responded to backlash over casting Sean Gunn as his brother and frequent collaborator Maxwell Lord.

After having roles in the Guardians of the Galaxy series and The Suicide Squad, Sean Gunn will play Maxwell Lord in the new DC universe. He takes on the role from Pedro Pascal, who played Lord in Wonder Woman 1984. While Gunn’s plans for the character are still a mystery, he got some backlash on Instagram Threads for casting his brother in both that role and a voice role in the animated project Creature Commandos. When someone accused him of lying about this casting, he responded in a now delete post (via ScreenRant), which reads:  

There you have it. While he’s not going to give actors multiple live-action roles in the new DCU, the inclusion of animated projects adds another fold to the situation. And Gunn believes he made that clear from the jump, so he’s seemingly not here for backlash surrounding his brother’s various roles in the shared universe. Although I have to wonder why he ultimately decided to delete this response on threads.

This is just the latest example of James Gunn using social media to directly communicate with the public. Gunn often debunks rumors about his projects online, especially thanks to the ongoing mystery about DC’s plans for the future. And this time it was directly related to his ongoing collaboration with his brother Sean Gunn.

While there are some naysayers about Sean Gunn’s roles in the new DCU, it’s not like he hasn’t put in a ton of work within the genre previously. In addition to playing Kraglin in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Gunn also played Rocket on set, before CGI and Bradley Cooper’s voice performance brought the character to life. Then there’s his role as Weasel in The Suicide Squad, and (for course) his iconic tenure in Gilmore Girls. So Sean Gunn is certainly qualified to get in on the DC fun. 

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Aquaman 2 on December 20th, which will be the final installment in the DCEU as we know it. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Although there are a few actors from the DC Extended Universe who will continue playing their characters within the DC Universe, including John Cena and Viola Davis, for the most part, this new era is intended to provide a fresh start for upcoming DC movies and upcoming DC TV shows. As such, Pedro Pascal’s outing as Maxwell Lord in Wonder Woman 1984 was ultimately a one-and-done affair, but we’re not done seeing the character in live-action. A Guardians of the Galaxy fan-favorite is taking over as Max, and I’m stoked to see what he does with the role.

Sean Gunn, who starred as Kraglin in all three Guardians of the Galaxy movies, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Avengers: Endgame and Thor: Love and Thunder, has been selected play Maxwell Lord in the DC Universe. Gunn is the brother of James Gunn, who, along with helming the MCU’s Guardians stories, is now co-running DC Studios with Peter Safran and is also the writer/director behind the first DC Universe movie, Superman: Legacy. Although it’s unclear if Gunn’s Max will appear as a member of Legacy’s cast, Deadline has heard that the character “will be referenced in the background” ahead of appearing in future DC Universe projects.

In addition to playing Kraglin in the aforementioned projects, Sean Gunn also performed on-set as Rocket Raccoon in all of that character’s MCU appearances. Interestingly enough, with the news of the Maxwell Lord casting, he now has three DC Universe roles under his belt. In addition to vocally reprising Weasel, whom he played in The Suicide Squad, Gunn will also voice G.I. Robot in the animated series Creature Commandos, which will release to Max subscribers like every other DC Universe TV show.

For those unfamiliar with DC Comics lore, Maxwell Lord started out as the wealthy businessman who helped establish the Justice League International. However, as time went on, Max’s shrewd and manipulative nature came to the forefront, and he eventually became a full-fledged supervillain who gained telepathic persuasion powers. Pedro Pascal’s Max was also a businessman in Wonder Woman 1984, but he absorbed the powers of the Dreamstone in order to save his company and amass more power for himself as he granted other people’s wishes. Max was also played by Gill Bellows in Smallville and Peter Fancinelli in Supergirl.

We’re likely a long ways off from learning how Maxwell Lord will be utilized in the DC Universe, though I imagine at the very least, he’ll be well established as a titan of industry when he’s seen and/or mentioned in Superman: Legacy. I have to imagine, though, that there will come a time when he’s presented as an antagonist, whether he’s rocking those same mind control powers, is strictly using his money to cause trouble or boasts a new ability. In any case, I’m glad to see that Gunn now has a role in this franchise where his face will be seen on camera, and I’m interested to see what he does with the character. 

While we wait for more DC Universe-related news, head to Max if you’d like to view any of the already-released DC movies in order. If you’re interested in revisiting Sean Gunn’s MCU work, that can be accessed with a Disney+ subscription.

Spoilers ahead for Guardians 3.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a wildly popular entertainment powerhouse that is showing no signs of slowing down. Prior to its release one of the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies was definitely Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The movie delivered critically and at the box office, especially for those who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order. And director/writer James Gunn recently admitted the Guardians character was the “most different” by Vol. 3 was initially hired as a money-saving move. Hey, that’s show business. 

James Gunn is the man behind the Guardians franchise, and he’s put a great deal of work into the franchise over the last decade. We’ve seen the entire cosmic team go through great changes during this time, but he recently spoke in an interview with Collider about which characters were altered the most. He chose an unlikely subject: Sean Gunn’s Kraglin. In the director’s words:

There you have it. While Kraglin was a character in the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, not even James Gunn could have predicted where his plot line would end up going. That includes inheriting Yondu’s arrow, and even becoming a full-fledged Guardian in Vol. 3’s post-credits scene. We’ll just have to see if/when Kraglin returns to the shared universe.

Of course, Sean Gunn is also the brother of James Gunn; the two have worked together a number of times prior to their collaboration on Guardians. And on top of playing Kraglin, Sean Gunn also performs the motion capture for Rocket, before Bradley Cooper’s voice is eventually added in post. The acclaimed director explained why hiring his brother as a Ravager made financial sense at the time, sharing:

From the looks of it, Guardians 3 was the final chapter surrounding the current team. And it’s unclear what comes next, especially since James Gunn is busy as the DCU’s new co-CEO. He’s also writing and directing Superman: Legacy, so it seems he might have left the MCU behind. But there’s hope for Sean Gunn’s Kraglin, if/when we see the Guardians 2.0 in action.

Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is still in theaters now. The next Marvel movie hitting theaters is The Marvels on November 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

There are still three upcoming DC movies to look forward to this year following the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, but from there, the DC Extended Universe as we know it will end, and from the ashes will rise the new DC Universe. While aspects of the DCEU will be retained, such as John Cena and Viola Davis continuing to respectively play Peacemaker and Amanda Waller, there will be a lot of new actors coming into the continuity being overseen by DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. The first round of casting for this next era has finally come in, and it all revolves around the animated series Creature Commandos.

It was first reported by The Wrap that Frank Grillo, known for playing Crossbones in the MCU, will play Rick Flag Sr. in Creature Commandos. To be clear, this is not Joel Kinsman being recast, as he played Rick Flag Jr., the son of Grillo’s character, in Suicide Squad and The Suicide Squad. Then Collider shared that the rest of the main cast will also consist of Sean Gunn as both G.I. Robot and Weasel (whom we knew would be back), Maria Bakalova as Princess Ilana Rostovic, Indira Varma as The Bride, Zoe Chao as Nina Mazursky, Alan Tudyk as Dr. Phosphorus, David Harbour as Eric Frankenstein and Steve Agee as John Economos. Both Weasel and Economos were previously seen in The Suicide Squad, with the latter also appearing in Peacemaker and cameoing in Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

James Gunn confirmed all these castings on Twitter, and while these are just vocal outings for now, the DC Universe intends to use actors from animated projects in live-action as well. As such, Frank Grillo, David Harbour and the rest could easily join Steve Agee and Sean Gunn (in the case of Weasel) in bringing their characters to life onscreen. Like the Suicide Squad, the Creature Commandos are under the supervision of Amanda Waller, but there’s no mention of if we’ll hear Viola Davis reprising her role in this particular project.

Although no specific plot details for Creature Commandos have been revealed yet, James Gunn wrote all seven episodes, and the show is currently in production. It’s been described as an “aperitif” for the DC Universe before Superman: Legacy, which Gunn is both writing and directing, is released in theaters on July 11, 2025 to officially kick off the franchise. This animated series is an especially fitting project to come out as part of the DCU’s Chapter One slate, titled “Gods and Monsters,” as most of the team’s members fall quite nicely into the latter grouping.

HBO Max subscribers will be able to check out Creature Commandos whenever it arrives next year, although keep in mind that the streaming service will be relaunched in late May as simply Max. Regardless, it’s just one of many upcoming DC TV shows that CinemaBlend will continue sharing updates about as we move forward into the DC Universe.

Since day one, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has always had A+ guest stars, from Gilbert Gottfried and Luke Kirby in the very first episode to Jane Lynch, John Waters and many others throughout the following four seasons. However, the guest stars I always get the most excited for are the ones who played iconic characters in Amy Sherman-Palladino’s other hit show Gilmore Girls. And lucky for us, we are getting not one, but two of them during The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s fifth and final season along with many other surprising and exciting guests. 

Two More Gilmore Girls Alums Will Guest Star In Season 5 Of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 

Considering Maisel’s creator and showrunner held the same job titles on the classic series Gilmore Girls, it makes a ton of sense that Sherman-Palladino would bring so many familiar faces into her other hit fast-talking comedy. While we’ve had some super exciting guest stars from Gilmore Girls in the past, things are about to get even better as Sean Gunn and Danny Strong have been cast in the final season. 

If you are a fan of the mother-daughter-centered comedy, you’ll remember Sean Gunn's Kirk and all his random business endeavors that were odd to the citizens of Stars Hallow but hilarious to anyone watching the show. He was such a beloved character, and I'm certain he will bring that Krik-ish comedy over to Maisel. 

Along with Gunn, Dany Strong will also be joining the guest stars of Maisel’s last season. Strong played Doyle in Gilmore Girls, Paris's fast-talking boyfriend, and the editor-in-chief of Yale’s student newspaper. These days, Strong doesn’t act as much and he has moved on to writing and producing award-winning shows like Dopesick and Empire. However, he’s making his way back to the screen for his old pal Amy Sherman-Palladino, and hopefully, he'll bring some of Doyle's chaotic energy with him.

Gunn and Strong will be joining quite the list of Gilmore Girls actors who have popped up in the Amazon Prime series from Sherman-Palladino. In fact, one of Maisel’s main characters is played by a Gilmore Girls guest star, as Alex Borstein, who played the harp player at Lorelai's hotel in Season 1 of the WB series, plays Midge’s manager Susie Myerson in the Amazon Prime series. Now, after four seasons of fantabulous guest stars, including Gilmore alums Milo Ventimiglia (Jess), Kelly Bishop (Emily) and Liza Weil (Paris) the show will round out the list with the actors behind Doyle and Kirk. 

Other Exciting Guest Stars Joining The Final Season Of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Along with Danny Strong and Sean Gunn, four other exciting guest stars were announced for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s final season. The other big names joining the cast include The Simpsons and Ray Donovan star Hank Azaria, Broadway legend Sutton Foster, who recently starred in a revival of The Music Man, and Emmy-winner Darren Criss, who is known for his roles in The Assassination of Gianni Versace and Glee. Along with these three, David Paymer will make his way back to Midge’s world reprising his role of Harry Drake. 

While this announcement confirmed six guest stars, we also found out through first looks that Luke Kirby will also be back as Midge’s mentor and occasional love interest Lenny Bruce. I'd also imagine there will be many more familiar faces popping up to add more color into Mrs. Maisel's world. I mean it is the final season, and this show is bound to go out with a bang. So, all-in-all the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is shaping up to have an excellent cast of guest characters who will perform alongside the show’s principal actors, and I couldn't be more excited. 

To see all these exciting guest stars in action, you’ll be able to start streaming Season 5 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel when it premieres on the 2023 TV schedule on Friday, April 14 with an Amazon Prime subscription. In the meantime, you can stream every season of Gilmore Girls to see how many of these actors got their start with a Netflix subscription.  

It is not unusual for an actor to play more than one comic book character role. Sometimes this means they first star in a DC movie before switching sides to the Marvel movies (and vice versa) or appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe years after playing an entirely different character from Marvel Comics in a film that predates the shared universe’s creation. 

However, what if I told you that there are also many cases of actors who have double-dipped in the MCU? While the Marvel movies’ timeline is usually pretty tight, there are a surprising amount of times when the same actor played more than one character in the same interconnected franchise and the following are some notable examples of such Marvel movie characters.

Tara Strong - Miss Minutes (Loki), Mainframe (Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3)

Famed voice actor Tara Strong has played multiple iconic comic book characters, including two in the MCU alone. She made her franchise debut on the Disney+ series Loki as the Time Variance Authority’s animated, AI mascot, Miss Minutes, and later cameoed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as Mainframe – a member of the OG GOTG from the comics who was previously voiced by Miley Cyrus in Vol. 2.  

David Dastmalchian - Kurt Goreshter (Ant-Man), Veb (Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania)

Another actor known for many, many comic book character roles is David Dastmalchian, who gave a memorable appearance in the first two Ant-Man movies as Scott Lang’s (Paul Rudd) Russian-born, computer hacker friend, Kurt Goreshter. While Kurt did not appear in the third installment from 2023, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Dastmalchian still got to be a part of the adventure as the voice of Veb – a creature who helps Scott and Cassie (Kathryn Newton) understand the Quantum Realm’s inhabitants by feeding them his ooze.

Seth Green - Stark Expo Fan (Iron Man 2), Howard The Duck (Guardians Of The Galaxy)

The post-credit sequence from 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy confirmed that, in the MCU, there exists Howard the Duck, who was voiced by Seth Green for a brief, but memorable, cameo as the fowl private eye who would make subsequent appearances. Four years earlier, Green made an even more brief appearance in Iron Man 2 as a fan of Tony Stark seen at his expo.

Michelle Yeoh – Aleta Ogord (Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2), Ying Nan (Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings)

Before earning an Oscar for her performance in one of the best Multiverse movies, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Michelle Yeoh entered the Marvel Multiverse with her cameo in 2017’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as Aleta Ogord – one of the original members from the team’s comic book iteration. Four years later, the actor seemed to create a rift in the timeline when she appeared in the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings cast as the title hero’s aunt, Ying Nan. 

Linda Cardellini – Laura Barton (Various), Lylla (Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3)

In Avengers: Age of Ultron, the team was introduced to Clint Barton’s (Jeremy Renner) wife, Laura, whom Linda Cardellini would reprise in Avengers: Endgame and the Disney+ TV show, Hawkeye. In 2023, the Freaks and Geeks cast alum would reunite with Scooby-Doo scribe James Gunn to voice Rocket Raccoon’s friend, Lylla, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Nathan Fillion – Monstrous Inmate (Guardians Of The Galaxy), Karja (Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3), Headpool (Deadpool & Wolverine)

Another actor known for his frequent collaborations with James Gunn (Slither, The Suicide Squad) is Nathan Fillion, who voiced an alien prisoner threatening Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy before receiving a bigger role in Vol. 3 as the Orgosphere’s cocky head of security, Karja. The former Firefly cast member became an MCU triple-dipper with his cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine voicing Headpool, which also marks his second time playing a disembodied head after his role on one of Fillion's best TV shows, Santa Clarita Diet.

Sean Gunn – Rocket Raccoon, Kraglin (Various)

The Guardians of the Galaxy’s furry weapons expert, Rocket Raccoon, is a role shared between Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper providing his Boston-accented voice and director James Gunn’s brother, Sean Gunn, performing the mo-cap on set. Gunn has also appeared “alongside himself” on several occasions, as recently as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as former Ravager, Kraglin.

Laura Haddock – Autograph Seeker (Captain America: The First Avenger), Meredith Quill (Guardians Of The Galaxy Movies)

Speaking of Guardians of the Galaxy stars, most fans are likely to recognize British actor Laura Haddock as Peter Quill’s mother, Meredith, in the cold open flashbacks from the first movie and its sequel. However, the Downton Abbey: A New Era cast member’s MCU tenure actually dates back to 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, in which she plays a 1940s-era woman affectionately approaching Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) for an autograph. The characters’ resemblance led to a fan theory suggesting Cap is Star-Lord’s real grandfather, which James Gunn later debunked.

Kenneth Choi – Jim Morita (Captain America: The First Avenger), Principal Morita (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

Speaking of Captain America: The First Avenger stars, Private Jim Morita — Steve Rogers’ Japanese-American teammate on the Howling Commandos — was played by Kenneth Choi. The actor (also part of the DC Extended Universe as a Yakuza boss in Suicide Squad) would later appear in Spider-Man: Homecoming as Morita’s grandson, who also happens to be Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) high school principal.

Benedict Cumberbatch – Doctor Strange, Dormammu (Doctor Strange)

An interesting example of a Marvel actor appearing as two different characters in the same movie occurs in Doctor Strange. Benedict Cumberbatch debuted as one-time Sorcerer Supreme Stephen Strange in director Scott Derrickson’s visually stunning 2016 fantasy, in which he also provided the voice of the ruler of the Dark Dimension, Dormammu. Talk about being your own worst enemy.

Clancy Brown – Ray Schoonover (Daredevil, The Punisher), Surtur (Thor: Ragnarok)

Another actor who gave a memorable Marvel movie performance as a giant CGI villain is Clancy Brown, who was the voice of the Fire Demon, Surtur, in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok. That same year, the SpongeBob SquarePants star (also famous for voicing Superman nemesis, Lex Luthor in many animated DC titles) would reprise his Daredevil role as Major Schoovover on the short-lived spin-off, The Punisher.

Patton Oswalt – The Koenig Brothers (Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Pip The Troll (Eternals)

Comedian Patton Oswalt has lent his distinct voice to several comic book characters, including a troll named Pip in the mid-credits scene from Eternals in 2021. Before then, he would appear on several episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as four different characters: identical quintuplets Sam, Eric, Billy, and Thurston Koenig, making him the current record holder for the most MCU-canon characters portrayed by one person.

Enver Gjokaj - Young Cop (The Avengers), Daniel Sousa (Agent Carter, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

One example of an actor who debuted in the MCU with something small before re-emerging with something much bigger is Enver Gjokaj. He played an unnamed police officer in 2012’s The Avengers before starring on Agent Carter and the final season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as World War II soldier-turned-strategic operative, Daniel Sousa.

Gemma Chan – Minn-Erva (Captain Marvel), Sersi (Eternals)

Outside of those who played two characters in the same movie, English actor Gemma Chan has one of the smallest windows of time between her first MCU character and her second. In 2019, she donned blue makeup to play Kree Imperial warrior Minn-Erva in Captain Marvel and, in literally the same year, was announced as part of the Eternals cast in the role of Sersi.

Alfre Woodard – Miriam Sharpe (Captain America: Civil War), Black Mariah (Luke Cage)

Someone who can top Gemma Chan’s record in time between her characters’ official appearances is Alfre Woodard. The Academy Award nominee appeared in one memorable scene from 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, opposite Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, as Miriam Sharpe — a woman grieving the unseen death of her son during the final act of Avengers: Age of Ultron. That same year, just months later, she debuted on Luke Cage as Mariah “Black Mariah” Dillard, whose cousin is Harlem crime boss Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes.

Mahershala Ali – Cottonmouth (Luke Cage), Blade (Eternals)

Speaking of Cottonmouth, the crime boss on Luke Cage would turn out to be only the beginning of Mahershala Ali’s legacy in the MCU. While the two-time Academy Award winner’s new take on vampire-hunter Blade has yet to be seen, he debuted the character in a vocal cameo from Eternals’ post-credit scene. 

Chris Hemsworth – Thor, One Of Hajo’s Three Heads (Thor: Ragnarok)

It is hard to imagine a Marvel character better suited for Chris Hemsworth to play than the God of Thunder, but, believe it or not, the title hero of Thor: Ragnarok is not his only role from the funny 2017 blockbuster. Only eagle-eyed fans noticed that the Australian actor also played one of the three heads of Hajo — a gladiator from Sakaar who tried to help save Asgard from Hela (Cate Blanchett).

Taika Waititi – Korg, One Of Hajo’s Three Heads (Thor: Ragnarok)

Actually, Hemsworth is not the only well-known star of Thor: Ragnarok to share the role of Hajo. The film’s own director, Taika Waititi, also appeared as one of the gladiator’s three heads, in addition to providing the voice of fan-favorite, rock-skinned alien, Korg, and in the same frame, too!

I am not sure if there is or could ever be a weirder example of the MCU’s double-dipping phenomenon than those last two. However, I would love to see a challenger step up to the plate someday. Of course, considering the franchise is now in a stage known as “The Multiverse Saga,” it seems like it is a distinct possibility. 

A good way for an actor to start out is by making a guest appearance on a TV crime procedural series like Bones — the Emmy-nominated show starring Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz that ran for 12 seasons on Fox. In fact, the fun, clever, and romantic drama inspired by the life of forensic pathologist Kathy Reichs was an early credit, or even first credit, for many actors before really making a name for themselves. Take a look at the 18 actors below and see if you remember when they crossed paths with Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan and Agent Seeley Booth.

Michael B. Jordan (Perry Wilson)

Before becoming one of the most popular and respected actors of his generation with stellar performances in Fruitvale Station, the Creed movies, and Black Panther as one of the MCU’s most memorable villains, Michael B. Jordan was best known for television roles of varying magnitude, such as the time he was guest star on House. Earlier than that, however, he appeared on Season 5 of Bones as a young man who encounters Booth’s protective side when he starts dating Camille Saroyan’s (Tamara Taylor) adoptive daughter, Michelle (Tiffany Hines).

Jaimie Alexander (Molly Briggs)

Another Marvel movies star who guested on Bones just a few years before playing Lady Sif in the Thor franchise was Jaimie Alexander. In the Season 4 episode “The Beaver in the Otter,” Brennan and Booth eventually learn her character knows more than she would let on about the body of a fellow college student found inside the school mascot uniform.

Sean Gunn (Dr. Howard Fitch)

Yet another Marvel movie veteran with a Bones episode on his resume is Sean Gunn, who plays both Kraglin and provides the motion capture for Rocket Raccoon in his brother James’ Guardians of the Galaxy films. Actually, Gunn had already completed his stint in the Gilmore Girls cast and made his MCU debut when he a made a small appearance as a forensic science convention attendee in the crime procedural’s tenth season.

Jennifer Holland (Nicole Twist)

Another actor with both personal and professional connections to James Gunn is his real-life romantic partner and Peacemaker cast member Jennifer Holland. In 2011, the former model also had a brief role on a Season 6 episode of Bones as the sole social media friend of a recent murder victim, with whom she had suffered a falling out regarding a counterfeit handbag.

Aldis Hodge (Jimmy Merton)

Speaking of DCEU actors, Black Adam cast member Aldis Hodge is also known for the TNT series Leverage, Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man, and the Oscar nominated movie, One Night in Miami…, to name few. He also starred on the first season of Bones as a military veteran still struggling to overcome painful memories when he is questioned by Booth and Brennan about the death of his former comrade.

Laz Alonso (George Warren)

Speaking of comic book adaptation stars, Laz Alonso is best known today for taking out corrupt supes as Mother’s Milk on Amazon Prime’s hit series based on Garth Ennis' The Boys. Years earlier, he appeared on Bones Season 1 as the brother of a woman whose mummified remains were found, along with a bag of methamphetamines, by Brennan inside the wall of a night club.

Giancarlo Esposito (Richard Benoit)

Speaking of The Boys cast members, Emmy nominee Giancarlo Esposito is also known for many other legendary (and very sinister) roles in TV series like Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian. One of his lesser-known (but still pretty sinister) TV characters is that of a New Orleans voodoo shop owner who threatens to curse Brennan when she suspects him of murder in Season 1 of Bones.

Aaron Paul (Stew Ellis)

Speaking of Breaking Bad cast members, three-time Emmy-winning Jesse Pinkman actor Aaron Paul just happened to appear on the first season of Bones before he was cast on the hit AMC series as well. He played a comic book store owner whom Brennan and Booth confront about the murder of a teen who was so obsessed with superheroes that he tried to become one.

Dean Norris (Don Timmons)

Aaron Paul’s Breaking Bad co-star and DEA Agent Hank Schrader actor, Dean Norris, also appeared on Bones — and not just once, but two times. In Season 4, he played the owner of a pitbull who may have been responsible for the death of his own veterinarian, and would return in the uncredited and unrelated role of a court juror in the following season.

Michael Cudlitz (Lucky)

Speaking of actors from hit AMC shows, Michael Cudlitz would join The Walking Dead cast in Season 4 as military veteran Abraham Ford, which is just about his best-known role to date. Years before then, he had a guest spot on Bones Season 3 as the operator of a lodge where people indulge in a unique form a sexual role play involving one person pretending to be a horse and the other their “rider.”

Kyle Gallner (Jeremy Farrell)

In addition to a very brief stint on The Walking Dead (one episode), Kyle Gallner is a bit of an underrated Scream King for his appearances in Jennifer’s Body and the fifth installment of the Scream movies from 2022, most notably. However, his role on the Bones Season 2 episode “The Girl with the Curl” as the older brother of a 9-year-old beauty pageant star harboring a dark secret was not particularly scary, albeit a bit upsetting.

Theo Rossi (Nick Arno)

Theo Rossi of Sons of Anarchy cast and Luke Cage fame dealt with a very different kind of zombie horde when he was cast in Army of the Dead — writer and director Zack Snyder’s Netflix original action-horror flick that was set in a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas. Coincidentally, the actor also appeared on a Season 2 Bones episode that took place in Sin City, playing the owner of a fight club that Brennan and Booth infiltrate by posing as a couple.

Indira Varma (Inspector Cate Pritchard)

There are also members of the Star Wars universe who have made appearances on Bones — such as Obi-Wan Kenobi cast member Indira Varma, who played Tala Durith on the Disney+ original limited series. The actor played a Scotland Yard inspector  whom Brennan refers to as the “British version of Booth” while working a case together in a 2008 two-part episode set in the United Kingdom.

Jordan Fisher (Ian Johnson)

While he was already well on his way to securing himself as one of his generation’s most exceptional, multi-talented young performers, actor, singer, dancer, and Work It star Jordan Fisher got to put his best talents on display when he appeared on Bones. In a Season 11 episode that is easily one of the more musical of the whole series (not to mention how Pentatonix stars Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying also guest star), Fisher plays a member of collegiate a cappella group whose leader is found dead.

Justina Machado (Lupe Rojas)

Also known for busting some epic dancing moves (particularly with her successful stint on Dancing with the Stars) is Netflix’s One Day at a Time star Justina Machado, who had previously had a major role on HBO’s Six Feet Under. In between, she appeared on a Season 6 Bones episode as the ex-girlfriend of a man who was found dead in a cave along with the woman he left her for, which automatically makes her a prime suspect in the case.

Ariel Winter (Liza)

Fellow sitcom star Ariel Winter (who played Alex Dunphy in the Modern Family cast for 11 seasons) also has a recurring voice role on Disney Channel’s animated series, Elena of Avalor, in common with Justina Machado, in addition to both guest starring on Bones episodes. Actually, the then-8-year-old also appeared alongside Kyle Gallner in the aforementioned Season 2 episode “The Girl with the Curl” as a young dancer.

Taylor Kinney (Jimmy Fields)

Also known for playing a solder in the Oscar-winning 2013 film, Zero Dark Thirty, Taylor Kinney is best known from his recurring role on The Vampire Diaries cast and on Chicago Fire as regular character Kelly Severide. Before any of these credits came about, the actor played a collegiate basketball player whose hot-shot teammate is found dead underneath the gym bleachers on a Season 3 episode of Bones.

Ryan Michelle Bathe (Erin Miller)

Speaking of NBC drama stars, Ryan Michelle Bathe had a memorable recurring role alongside her real-life husband, Sterling K. Brown, in the This is Us cast before becoming the heroic lead of The Endgame cast in 2022. Much earlier, she had a guest appearance on Bones in a Season 4 episode as a woman with a “Cleopatra haircut” who serves as the estate lawyer to a family whose recently deceased loved one is discovered by Brennan to have been murdered when she attends his funeral. 

How many of these guest appearances by Hollywood’s soon-to-be stars rang a bell for you? If you still feel the need to refresh your memory by revisiting these episodes, you can stream Bones on Hulu, or stream Bones on Amazon's Freevee app for free, now.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” stars Chris Pratt (Peter Quill / Star-Lord), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Will Poulter (Adam Warlock), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), Sean Gunn (Kraglin / On-Set Rocket), Chukwudi Iwuji (The High Evolutionary) and writer Director James Gunn discuss their upcoming Marvel film and conclusion of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy in this post-Hall H interview with CinemaBlend at San Diego Comic-Con 2022.

Video Chapters

• 00:00 - Chris Pratt on Finding “Your Side”
• 00:35 - Chris Pratt Teases What’s Ahead For Star-Lord and Gamora In GOTG 3
• 01:24 - Karen Gillan LOVES ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Fan Reactions
• 02:00 - Karen Gillan Weighs In On Nebula Unaliving Nebula in ‘Endgame’
• 02:32 - James Gunn Teases a “Darker” ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Movie
• 03:20 - Sean Gunn on Baby Rocket’s Difficult Backstory
• 04:30 -  Pom Klementieff on Welcoming New Marvel Actors to the ‘Guardians’ Family
• 05:15 - Pom Klementieff Teases A More Badass Mantis In ‘Guardians 3’
• 05:35 - Will Poulter Teases Adam Warlock Origins in ‘GOTG 3’ 
• 06:32 - Chukwudi Iwuji on The High Evolutionary and His Motivations
• 07:20 - Chukwudi Iwugi Praises James Gunn’s Dialogue
• 08:15 - Chris Pratt Recalls His Last Day of Filming the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Trilogy
• 08:55 - James Gunn Is Literally Always Writing and Rewriting Scripts
• 09:49 - Will Poulter Wants to Play Adam Warlock Again “If Marvel Will Have Me”

Remember -- and spoilers! -- when it looked like Sean Gunn’s Weasel drowned at the beginning of The Suicide Squad prior to the bloodbath on that Corto Maltese beach? Well, in the DC Extended Universe movie’s post-credits scene, it was revealed that this freakish creature actually survived, and we watched him scamper off to parts unknown. Now James Gunn, the mastermind behind The Suicide Squad, is teasing Weasel’s return, and I surely can’t be alone in needing this to happen, right?

With the way we left things off with Weasel in The Suicide Squad, it’s not like it was guaranteed we’d see him again. So it was perfectly reasonable for a fan to express hope to James Gunn that Weasel pops up in Peacemaker Season 2, leading the filmmaker to respond thusly on Twitter:

Peacemaker Season 1 spun directly out of the events of The Suicide Squad, with John Cena’s Christopher Smith being recruited by the A.R.G.U.S. blacks ops squad “Project Butterfly” to combat an alien threat. Along with Steve Agee and Jennifer Holland reprising their respective roles of John Economos and Emilia Harcourt, the DC series available to watch with an HBO Max subscription also saw Viola Davis cameo as Amanda Waller in its premiere and Season 1 finale. Peacemaker Season 2 is confirmed to be on the way, and since a direct sequel to The Suicide Squad doesn’t appear to be in the works, it makes sense why this fan sees the show as the place where Weasel should return.

James Gunn isn’t willing to make any promises just yet, but with an answer like that, the chances of us seeing Weasel’s story continue in the DCEU seem stronger than not. It’s also worth mentioning that Peacemaker isn’t the only place where Weasel could rear his head again. Back in October, Gunn teased he was working on another DC project, and he clarified in January that this will be another TV show connected to The Suicide Squad. It still hasn’t been revealed which character will lead this other series, but since it’ll rest within that same corner of the DCEU, then it also serves as a reasonable platform for Weasel to resurface.

Either way, it’ll be a while before we see James Gunn tackling more DC media endeavors. He’s currently in the midst of shooting both Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, the latter of which will be available later this year with a Disney+ subscription and the filmmaker has described the “greatest thing” he’s ever done. But the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy adventures are also a Gunn family affair, as Sean Gunn both plays Kraglin and does the motion-capture performance for Rocket Raccoon. Kraglin and most of the other Guardians characters will also appear in this summer's Thor: Love and Thunder.

While we wait for a more official confirmation on whether or not Weasel will indeed return to the DCEU, figure out what else this franchise will deliver in the coming year by looking through the upcoming DC movies slate.

Have you ever been watching your favorite TV show when a certain actor popped into frame and you could not help but wonder where else you might have seen them? There is a good chance that it could have been another episode of the same program, as many television series have a history of casting the same actor for entirely different roles. In fact we have a hefty amount examples below of actors who have played multiple TV characters in one series.

Giovanni Ribisi On Friends (Condom Guy, Frank Buffay Jr.)

Before he joined the Friends cast in the recurring role of Frank Buffay Jr. - the younger half-brother of Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) - Emmy nominee Giovanni Ribisi made an uncredited Season 2 appearance as a guy who asks if he can retrieve the condom he dropped in Phoebe’s guitar case moments earlier. Considering Phoebe never found out about this sibling until later that season, fans have speculated that Frank and “Condom Guy” are the same person, but this has never been confirmed.

Queen Latifah On The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air (Marissa Redman, Dee Dee)

Before she was in the Living Single cast, future Academy Award nominee Queen Latifah shared the screen with fellow rapper-turned-actor Will Smith on two episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1991. She played a vain, domineering actress who hires Hilary (Karyn Parsons) as an assistant for her first appearance, and returned to play a woman whose friendship with Will is tested when he does not defend her from ridicule about her weight.

Jerry Orbach On Law & Order (Defense Attorney Frank Lehrman, Detective Lennie Briscoe)

The late, great Jerry Orbach of Dirty Dancing fame is even better known for his 12 seasons in the Law & Order cast as Detective Lennie Briscoe, for which he received his third Emmy nomination. However, his first appearance on creator Dick Wolf’s long-running crime procedural (which was revived in 2022) was in Season 2 (a year before he official joined the cast) as Frank Lehrman - a lawyer defending a woman who shot her estranged husband and his mistress. 

Justin Theroux On Sex And The City (Jared, Vaughn Wysel)

On the premiere season of Sex and the City, Justin Theroux appeared as Jared - Carrie Bradshaw’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) post-Mr. Big rebound - before showing up again the following season as Vaughn Wysel -  Carrie’s writer boyfriend whose stories are short, just like his bedroom stamina. The star of HBO’s The Leftovers explained on an episode of People Magazine’s Couch Surfing how he prepared for his second role on the iconic romantic-comedy series by shaving his head.

Dean-Charles Chapman On Game Of Thrones (Martyn Lannister, Tommen Baratheon)

It is not so unusual for a Game of Thrones cast member to die and come back later (i.e. Kit Harrington’s Jon Snow), but Dean-Charles Chapman is a special case. The 1917 star appeared in two episodes of the third season as a Lannister House squire named Martyn before being brought back the next year (and with a sweet promotion) as the polarizing King of the Andals, Tommen Baratheon.

Peter Capaldi On Doctor Who (Caecilius, The Doctor)

Because of Time Lords’ regenerative process, the titular hero of the phenomenal British sci-fi series, Doctor Who, has been played by 13 different actors so far - including Oscar-winner Peter Capaldi (who looked to David Bowie for inspiration for the role) from 2013 to 2017. However, die-hard Whovians may recall when the Scotsman and The Suicide Squad cast member appeared opposite the Tenth Doctor, David Tenant, in 2008 as a man The Doctor saves from Vesuvius’ eruption named Caecilius.

Karen Gillan On Doctor Who (Soothsayer, Amy Pond)

In the same 2008 episode of Doctor Who in which Peter Capaldi made his first appearance in a different role, future Marvel movie star Karen Gillan also made her debut on the cult favorite series as a soothsayer who gained psychic powers from breathing in dust from the volcano, Vesuvius. Two years later, the Scottish actress was cast as Amy Pond, who would accompany Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor on adventures until 2012.

Ted McGinley On Married… With Children (Norman Jablonsky, Jefferson D'Arcy)

On Married… with Children (which some believe is due for a revival), the Bundy Family’s next-door neighbor, Marcy (Amanda Bearse), was married twice - the second time to Jefferson D’Arcy, who was played by Ted McGinley after he joined the cast in Season 5. The previous season, he appeared in a holiday episode inspired by It’s a Wonderful Life in which Al (Ed O’Neill) is shown an alternate reality where Peg (Katey Segal) is, instead, married to a more successful, better looking man named Norman Jablonsky (McGinley).  

Terry O’Quinn On The X-Files (Lt. Brian Tillman, Shadow Man)

Emmy winner Terry O’Quinn, best known from the Lost cast, has starred in a number of series created by Chris Carter - including one of the best ’90 shows, The X-Files, as both a police lieutenant in Season 2  and a super-soldier who tries to kill Scully (Gillian Anderson) in Season 9. He was also a regular on another supernatural series by Carter called Millennium, which once crossed over with The X-Files - meaning O’Quinn has really played three characters within this same universe.

Garret Dillahunt On Deadwood (Jack McCall, Francis Wolcott)

Garett Dillahunt is one of the few names on our list who, instead of just two guest appearances, can claim to have two different, multi-episode recurring roles in the Deadwood cast. He played the crooked-nosed murderer Jack McCall in the HBO series’ first season, before returning in Season 2 as geologist Francis Wolcott. He even made an uncredited cameo in the series’ feature-length continuation from 2019 as random drunk.

S. Epatha Merkerson On Law & Order (Mrs. Denise Winters, Lieutenant Anita Van Buren)

Emmy winner S. Epatha Merkerson, who went on to be a staple of the One Chicago franchise, is best known for playing Lt. Anita Van Buren on Law & Order from 1993 to 2010. Yet, her first role on the iconic crime drama was as the mother of two young shooting victims in the the series’ premiere season.

Paget Brewster On Community (Debra Chambers, Frankie Dart)

During Paget Brewster’s temporary absence from the Criminal Minds cast, she had a starring role on Community as Frankie Dart - a consultant hired to help improve things on the Greendale campus. There is a clever joke from Season 6 of creator Dan Harmon’s cult favorite comedy when Frankie claims to have some bizarre trouble when trying to reach out to Greendale’s I.T. department head, Debra Chambers - whom Brewster also played in the previous season.

James Cromwell On Barney Miller (Sgt. Wilkinson, Neil Spencer, Jason Parrish, Dr. Edmund Danworth)

The producers of Barney Miller (one of funniest and best classic mystery shows) cast several actors in multiple guest appearances over its eight seasons, including Oscar nominee James Cromwell. He first appeared as a police sergeant in 1977, a representative of the department of energy two years later, and both a corporate representative and stress researcher in 1981.

Denise Dowse On Beverly Hills, 90210 (Professor Harriet Welkman, Mrs. Teasley)

Years before appearing on the hit HBO comedy Insecure or FX’s acclaimed crime drama Snowfall, Denise Dowse appeared on a total of 24 episodes as part of the Beverly Hills, 90210 cast from 1990 to 2000. In 23 of those episodes, she played West Beverly Hills High School vice principal Yvonne Teasley, and also played a college professor in an episode of Season 1, which was also her first.

Diane Neal On Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Amelia Chase, A.D.A. Casey Novak)

Diane Neal has starred on the crime procedural spin-off Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (initially as a regular and later in recurring and guest appearances) as Casey Novak - an assistant district attorney who also appeared in an episode of the short-lived Law & Order: Trial By Jury. The actress has actually played two characters in this universe - the first being a stockbroker convicted of the rape and murder of a male stripper who staged the murder of her accomplice as a suicide, on SVU’s third season.

Freema Agyeman On Doctor Who (Adeloa Oshodi, Martha Jones)

Before joining the New Amsterdam cast and starring in The Matrix Revolutions, Freema Agyeman first appeared with the Doctor Who cast as Torchwood technician Adeloa Oshodi in 2006. The following year, she was cast as Martha Jones - a companion to David Tenant’s Tenth Doctor - who was later revealed to be Adeloa’s cousin to explain the resemblance between the two.

Christa Miller On Seinfeld (Ellen De Granmont, Paula)

If her starring roles on The Drew Carey Show, with the Scrubs cast, and on Cougar Town do not earn Christa Miller the right to be called sitcom royalty, how about her two disparate guest roles on one of the most celebrated sitcoms of all time, Seinfeld? Miller contributes to two memorable George Costanza moments - the first being when she cost Jason Alexander’s iconic character a bra salesman position after a disastrous attempt at hitting on her in Season 5. In Season 6, she played a woman already dating George, but her unflattering doodle of him suddenly makes him unsure if her affection is genuine.

Nelson Franklin on The Office (Graphic Design Guy, Nick)

Comedian and Being the Ricardos star Nelson Franklin is known for having notable recurring roles on a number of sitcoms, including with The Office cast as Dunder Mifflin-Sabre’s begrudgingly overlooked IT guy, Nick, in Season 6. Two seasons earlier, he appeared in the episode “Job Fair” as a graphic design expert whom Pam (Jenna Fischer) approaches with interest in the field.

Sean Gunn On Angel (Mars, Lucas)

Before his older brother, James Gunn, cast him in multiple roles in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies (namely Kraglin and Rocket Raccoon, for whom he performed the mo-cap), Sean Gunn play two different characters in the first season of the David Boreanaz-led Buffy spin-off, Angel. The future Gilmore Girls cast member first played a spa manager helping an inter-dimensional demon princess hide other women of her kind from the males who enslave them, before returning a few episodes later as a demon himself - specifically the kind that Angel’s ally, Allen Doyle (Glenn Quinn), is a descendent of on his father’s side.

Hayden Panettiere On Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Ashley Austin Black, Angela Agnelli)

Back when she was still best known for Disney movies like A Bug’s Life and Remember the Titans, Hayden Panettiere guest-starred on Season 2 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as the surviving young daughter of two singers accused of neglecting their recently deceased son. Right before joining the Heroes cast made her a household name, the actress and singer appeared on the spin-off’s sixth season as a Catholic high school student whose participation in a sex tape also featuring her classmate and an adult doctor, drove her to murder.

James Jordan On Veronica Mars (Lucky, Tim Foyle)

Years before joining the Yellowstone cast as Steve Hendon, one of James Jordan’s first major TV characters was Tim Foyle - a rival of Kristen Bell’s titular hero from the Veronica Mars cast who appeared in seven episodes, including the 2019 revival season. However, Jordan actually starred in a total of 10 episodes of the hit mystery drama and, for his first three, played a Neptune High janitor ironically named Lucky, who was shot and killed by a school security guard after showing up with an unloaded gun after he was fired.

Michael Cudlitz On CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Officer William Spencer, Josh Barston)

Earlier in his career, former The Walking Dead cast member Michael Cudlitz made a guest appearance on each of the first three editions of the CSI franchise (and each time as a different character, too), but the original is the only one on which he appeared twice. His first played a cop driven to crime by greed in Season 2, and later played a contractor driven to murder by love in Season 9.

BONUS: Kali Rocha On Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Cecily Addams, Halfrek - Confirmed To Be The Same Character)

For years, it was debated among fans of Buffy of the Vampire Slayer whether or not Kali Rocha's roles of Cecily Addams - a 19th Century socialite whose rejection of Spike (James Marsters) resulted in his vampirism - and the vengeance demon Halfrek were the same person. Writer Drew Goddard would confirm in a DVD commentary track (via ScreenRant) that the theory is, indeed, true, which we have chosen to mention as a bonus item on this list just in case there were any fans who may have needed clarification.

Let this list be a lesson to any aspiring actor to never take a TV guest appearance or small recurring role for granted. It could be the first of many appearances on that show alone or could get you promoted to a regular position.

The wait for James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has certainly been longer than planned, and at this point fans are very much chomping at the bit in anticipation – but soon the wait will be over. The blockbuster has key placement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 2023 slate, and all wheels are in motion to make it the best movie that it can be.

Of course, a big part of that is the cast, and for his upcoming Marvel movie James Gunn has brought together a fantastic ensemble – including both series veterans and some exciting newcomers. It’s a group of stars that make us only anticipate the arrival of the film even more, and below we’ve provided a rundown of all the confirmed names attached so far.

Chris Pratt

Clearly Peter Quill didn’t care too much about revisiting Earth, as the character is ready to get back into the cosmos as quickly as possible in Avengers: Endgame, and Star-Lord’s story will continue in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Chris Pratt has been busy in the years since 2019, making big movies like The Tomorrow War and Jurassic World: Dominion, but he’ll soon be back playing the role that turned him into a blockbuster superstar.

Zoe Saldana

The Gamora featured in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 won’t be the same one we got to know in the previous two chapters of the trilogy, as fans will remember that one was sacrificed by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. The new Gamora comes from an alternate timeline and hasn’t undergone the emotional growth we’ve witnessed, which should make an interesting acting challenge for Zoe Saldana (who has been posting behind-the-scenes shots from the set). The movie is one of many sci-fi sequels that the actor has in the works, the others being the new Avatar films and the new Star Trek that is in development.

Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista has built a rather spectacular reputation in the sci-fi genre. He broke out in a huge way playing Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy, and while continuing to make Marvel movies he has also teamed up with director Denis Villeneuve for both Blade Runner 2049 and Dune. He also currently has Dune: Part Two in the works, but we’ll see him back in the grey and red makeup for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 first.

Bradley Cooper

Watching the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and the last two Avengers films, one doesn’t really think about Bradley Cooper doing the voice of Rocket – but that’s just a testament to his impressive voice work bringing life to the character. We’ve been seeing a lot of Cooper recently with films like Nightmare Alley and Licorice Pizza, but his next feature film performance will see him back as the fan-favorite alien raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Karen Gillan

From Guardians of the Galaxy to Avengers: Endgame, Nebula has gone through one hell of an arc, and with Thanos now being dead it will be fascinating to see what he future looks like. Thankfully, we’ll get that special window into her life soon, as Karen Gillan will be reprising the role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gillan’s latest movie, Dual, premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, and she is a part of the ensemble in Judd Apatow’s new comedy The Bubble.

Pom Klementieff

Pom Klementieff made a stellar debut as Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and since then she has been expanding her resume with awesome films like the last two Avengers movies, Uncut Gems and the upcoming Mission: Impossible 7. Soon, though, we’ll get to see her back as the delightful empathic alien in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Vin Diesel

Between his adventures as Dom Toretto in the Fast & Furious movies, Vin Diesel has found time to go into the recording booth and say hundreds if not thousands of variations of “I am Groot,” and more of this is scheduled as the actor will be back as Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. At what stage in his development will the living tree be in when we catch up with him post-Avengers: Endgame? We have no idea, but we’re curious to find out.

Sean Gunn

As he has done on multiple Marvel movies now, Sean Gunn will be back pulling double duty in the making of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In addition to playing Kraglin, a friend of the Guardians who now has possession of Yondu’s Yaka arrow and fin, Gunn also does all of the on-set performance capture work for Rocket. The actor recently made his debut in the DC Extended Universe, playing Calendar Man and doing the mo-cap work for Weasel in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad.

Sylvester Stallone

Like Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone also reteamed with James Gunn for The Suicide Squad, providing the voice for King Shark, and soon the actor and the writer/director will be collaborating again while working on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Stallone made his MCU debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 playing Stakar Ogord, and he will be back playing the part in the sequel – though we have no idea how his character enters into the plot.

Will Poulter

When casting began for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, surely every actor in Hollywood even remotely right for the part went out for the role of Adam Warlock, but James Gunn could only hire one star for the part, and he chose Will Poulter. The film will be the actor’s first venture into the world of superhero blockbusters, but he does have franchise experience, having been a part of the ensembles in both the Chronicles of Narnia movies and The Maze Runner trilogy.

Chukwudi Iwuji

It’s always great to know when your work is being appreciated, and Chukwudi Iwuji got that sign from James Gunn after the filmmaker had a chance to collaborate with the actor on the HBO Max series Peacemaker. Gunn’s show of gratitude? An offer to play a part in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. We don’t yet know what role Iwuji is playing in the blockbuster, as that’s a secret being kept close to the vest, but it’s a detail we’re excited to learn about.

Daniela Melchior

Daniela Melchoir broke out in a big way with her performance as Ratcatcher II in The Suicide Squad, and, as a result, it is not particularly surprising to learn that she will be reuniting with James Gunn with a role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The writer/director personally confirmed that Melchoir is part of the ensemble in June 2022, and while we don't know anything about her character yet, we do know that she won't be playing Moondragon.

Maria Bakalova

Speaking of incredibly talented actors who have broken out in a big way within the last couple of years, Maria Bakalova turned heads across the globe with her hilarious performance in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, and some of those heads belonged to Hollywood's most popular filmmakers. In 2022 she had a part in Judd Apatow's comedy The Bubble, and now she has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. James Gunn confirmed Bakalova is in the cast in June 2022, and it's been called a key role.

Nico Santos

If Nico Santos looks familiar to you, then chances are you know him from one of two places, or perhaps both! From 2015 to 2021, he starred as Mateo Fernando Aquino Liwanag in the NBC sitcom Superstore, and in 2018, he appeared as Oliver T'sien in Crazy Rich Asians. Now Santos is jumping into blockbuster territory with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, although it hasn’t been revealed yet whether he’ll have a prominent role in the Marvel movie or will just pop his head in.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is presently scheduled to be released exactly six years after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and will be in theaters everywhere on May 5, 2023. To learn about all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films that are currently in the works, head over to our Upcoming Marvel Movies guide.

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Spoilers ahead for The Suicide Squad.

It’s been a few weeks since the DC Extended Universe expanded with James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. The R-rated blockbuster included a ton of colorful characters, most of which didn’t make it out alive. That includes the non-verbal creature Weasel, and Gunn recently shared a horrifying cosplay of that character.

The cast of The Suicide Squad was massive, as James Gunn set up two teams that made up Task Force X. Wesel definitely had a funny presence, as the disturbing looking character seemingly perished first after not being able to swim. One fan made their own cosplay as Weasel, resulting in Gunn sharing it with fans. Check it out below:

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to unsee this image. While the appearance itself is unnerving, clearly this fan of The Suicide Squad took the time to get specific when becoming Weasel. Let’s break down what we’re being shown here.

The above image comes to us from James Gunn’s personal Instagram account. He’s super active on social media, using his platform to directly communicate with followers about projects like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad. So when a cosplayer managed to make a spot on cosplay for Weasel, the filmmaker couldn’t help but share it with all of us. It's the bulging eyes that really capture it, although the fur suit seems to also be the perfect color.

The Suicide Squad is available for a limited time on HBO Max, which is also the streaming home of the greater DCEU. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

When Jamed Gunn shared this A+ Weasel cosplay to his 1.7 million Instagram followers, it also got the attention of some members of Task Force X. Namely Daniela Melchior, who played favorite Ratcatcher 2 in The Suicide Squad. She commented twice, congratulating the cosplayer on a job well done. Javelin actor Flula Borg also responded, saying:

Weasel was portrayed by Sean Gunn on set for The Suicide Squad, with the actor used to this type of motion capture thanks to standing in for Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. We’ll just have to wait and see if Weasel ends up appearing in another DC movie, as the post-credits scene showed that he actually survived nearly drowning in the movie’s opening sequence.

Prior to the release of The Suicide Squad, James Gunn teased that he has more DC projects in his twisted mind-- including the upcoming Peacemaker series. But first he’ll return to the MCU for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as well as the Guardians Holiday Special and animated Groot shorts.

The Suicide Squad is in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

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There seems to be some agreement between The Suicide Squad director James Gunn and his younger brother Sean Gunn that, when he casts him in one of his movies (even if he is already playing a human), he has to play a furry animal character, too. The former Gilmore Girls cast member, who has both played Kraglin and performed the on-set motion capture for Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel movies, also pulls double duty for the new Suicide Squad cast as Batman villain Calendar Man and a freaky, furry thing called Weasel. This strange, dangerous creature is actually portrayed in his DC movies debut a bit differently from how he was depicted the comics… at least in the beginning, that is. In fact, the beginning is exactly where we shall start examining Weasel's "graphic" history.

Weasel Was Originally A Human Dressed As An Animal In DC Comics

Created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Rafael Kayanan, Weasel made his DC Comics debut in June 1985, but not as the weird mutant that Sean Gunn is playing in The Suicide Squad. In the comics, Weasel, whose real name is John Monroe, is actually a human being who dons a costume that resembles his mammalian namesake when he is carrying out his latest crime spree.

You may be wondering why John Monroe would choose a creature as small and quite adorable, really, to base his supervillain persona off of. If you assumed it was because of its carnivorous appetite or the Japanese superstition which suggests that the weasel is a harbinger of misfortune, I can tell you it has nothing to do with either. In fact, the true origin may be a little bit darker.

Bullies From Weasel’s College Days Inspired His Supervillain Alias

In John Monroe’s DC Comics debut, a flashback to the 1960s shows him as a student at Stanford University, where he was treated as a bit of an outcast by people who constantly tormented him and gave a disparaging nickname. Care to guess what that name was? If you said, “Weasel,” give yourself a pat on the back. But what exactly inspired Monroe to channel this traumatic memory into a life of crime.

Years later, John Monroe would become a teacher at Vandemeer University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where many of the same people who bullied him at Stanford also happened to be employed. Somehow convinced that his former classmates may pose a threat to his tenure, Monroe decided to get back at them with an act of furry vengeance. Wearing his self-made costume and referring to himself as the very creature his classmates cruelly branded him as, Monroe sought them out and brutally murdered them one by one.

Weasel’s Archnemesis Was The Superhero Firestorm

I did not mention earlier exactly what DC comic Weasel first appears in, which is Issue #36 of The Fury of Firestorm. The title superhero of that series, Firestorm, first debuted in 1978 and was the alter ego of teenaged Ronald Roy “Ronnie” Raymond. A nuclear accident caused him to become fused with Nobel-Prize-winning physicist Martin Stein into one being with a halo of fire surrounding his head and a wide enough range of superpowers to rival Superman.

Firestorm would become the arch nemesis of John Monroe after he got in the way of his murderous rampage as Weasel. As it turns out, Monroe was actually a former colleague of Martin Stein, who transformed into the superhero when he came under Weasel’s attack. After apprehending the villain, he was incarcerated at Belle Reve - a prison in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, that also happened to be a base of operations for Task Force X.

Weasel Died During A Conflict Between Suicide Squad And Doom Patrol

Winding up in Belle Reve put John Monroe on the radar of Amanda Waller (Academy Award winner Viola Davis’ character in The Suicide Squad) who thought he could be of some use to Task Force X. She enlisted him to help the Suicide Squad rescue Hawk - the alter ego of Henry Hall who is not to be confused with Hawkman of the Justice of Society of America - on a mission that would actually be both his first and last with the team.

The Doom Patrol were actually on the Suicide Squad’s tail believing that they were out to kill Hawk. This sparked a violent conflict between the two teams that also drove Weasel to aimlessly kill The Thinker (played by Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi in The Suicide Squad. Rick Flag (whom Joel Kinnaman is reprising in the new film) put an end to the tirade when he murdered Weasel, also putting an end to his story in DC comics… or so it seemed.

Weasel’s Corpse Was Resurrected As A Member Of The Black Lantern Corps

Following his not-so-mournful death in Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad Special one-shot from March 1988, Weasel would actually be revived a couple more times in DC Comics. The first time would literally be a resurrection from beyond the grave.

The Geoff Johns-penned nine-part crossover event Blackest Night, which ran from July 2009 to May 2010, sees the Green Lantern Corps taking on the nefarious Nekron, who creates an army of reanimated corpses as part of his plan to eliminate all life and emotion on earth. One of those zombified villains brought back by the power of the Black Lantern ring was Weasel, as seen in the Batman-led Issue #3 of the event.

Weasel Was Reinvented As A Genuine Furry Creature In 2011

The second time that Weasel was “resurrected” in DC Comics occurred during The New 52 reboot in 2013. However, instead of a pos-mortem revival, this return saw a full reinvention of the character as the full-on human-animal hybrid who would become one of the new Suicide Squad members in James Gunn's film.

His first return occurred in a 2013 issue of Forever Evil, also by Geoff Johns, in which the clawed, fanged, and furry John Monroe tries to ambush Steve Trevor (Chris Pine’s Wonder Woman character) and Killer Frost. He is stopped, however, when Killer Frost freezes him alive before mentioning how he was never really considered to be much more than a joke among his villainous peers.

If the Guardians of the Galaxy movies have proved anything to us, it is that James Gunn is a master of giving undervalued comic book characters a second chance in the spotlight. What he has done for Weasel in his equally strange supervillain team-up epic, The Suicide Squad - now in theaters and available to stream HBO Max - is no exception.

Unlike in 2016’s Suicide Squad, Batman won’t show up in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, but we will still get to spend time with some members of his rogues gallery. Along with Margot Robbie reprising Harley Quinn, we’ll also meet David Dastmalchian’s Polka-Dot Man and Daniela Melchoir’s Ratcatcher II. But as it turns out, The Suicide Squad squeezed in yet another Caped Crusader adversary in the form of Julian Day, a.k.a. Calendar Man.

This has been revealed thanks to a new featurette for The Suicide Squad. Towards the beginning of the video, as we see quick cuts of many of the characters appearing in the next DC Extended Universe movie, we get a brief shot of Calendar Man, with those tattoos of abbreviated months around his forehead being a dead giveaway.

Calendar Man is being played in The Suicide Squad by Sean Gunn, who is also appearing in his the superhero flick as Weasel, one of Task Force X’s many members. Gunn is experienced with tackling dual roles in his brother’s comic book movies, because in addition to playing Kraglin in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, he’s also the on-set Rocket Raccoon, who is later voiced by Bradley Cooper. It’s unclear who the criminal is besides Calendar Man in that shot, but they’re both locked up in Amanda Waller’s prison, and it looks like he’s trying to get her attention. Bad move, Julian; it’s unlikely she wants to hear anything you have to say, and you’ll almost certainly come out of this in a world of hurt.

You can watch The Suicide Squad’s new featurette in full below, which is packed with new footage and soundbites from various cast members and James Gunn.

The Suicide Squad marks Calendar Man’s first time being depicted in live-action; there had talk about featuring him in the Fox series Gotham, but nothing ever came of that. In the animated realm, the character was recently voiced by David Dastmalchian in Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One and the soon-to-arrive Part Two, and has also appeared in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, the Harley Quinn animated series and the latter three Batman: Arkham video games. While Calendar Man has been around since 1958’s Detective Comics #259, he’s gained popularity in recent decades from the original Long Halloween story, where he was depicted as a Hannibal Lecter-like inmate at Arkham Asylum who Batman came to for assistance in tracking down the Holiday serial killer.

Don’t expect to see that much of Calendar Man in The Suicide Squad given that he’s not part of the main story, but it’s good to know about another Batman villain who exists in the DCEU. Along with the aforementioned characters, we also saw Killer Croc, Deadshot and The Joker in the first Suicide Squad movie, Deathstroke popped up in both versions of Justice League (and would have been the main villain of Ben Affleck’s version of The Batman), and Birds of Prey featured Black Mask and Victor Zsasz as its main villains.

The Suicide Squad charges into theaters and HBO Max for a 31-day window (on the ad-free plan, which you can sign up for now) on August 6. Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for all the biggest updates concerning upcoming DC Comics movies.

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While the Marvel Cinematic Universe is full of exciting properties, James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy remains one of the most beloved. The visionary filmmaker made a group of unknown heroes into fan favorites with his 2014 original movie. And Gunn recently shared a behind the scenes throwback from the set to celebrate the birthday of his brother Sean.

Sean Gunn has a unique but vital role in the MCU. In addition to his onscreen Kraglin, he also plays the role of Rocket on set, acting opposite the cast ahead of CGI and Bradley Cooper’s voice performance. As such there are some very funny photos of Sean Gunn when filming, and his brother/collaborator James shared one such image for his birthday. You can check it out below.

I mean, how can you not love that set photo? While moviegoing audiences get to see the finished product when watching a Guardians of the Galaxy movie in theaters, there’s a ton of moving parts that go into each Marvel installment. This includes Sean Gunn doing a ton of work kneeling in order to be Rocket’s height.

The above image comes to us from James Gunn’s personal Instagram account, and also includes a series of other photos with his brother Sean throughout the years. It’s a sweet glimpse into their relationship, and shows how much fun they’ve had with each other. It’s no wonder that James continues to utilize Sean’s on the big screen.

Marvel fans can re-watch Sean and James Gunn’s work in the MCU on Disney+. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

Photos of Sean Gunn working on Guardians of the Galaxy are always interesting, particularly when filming as Rocket Raccoon. Gunn has been in all sorts of funny positions as a result of the character’s height which is in juxtaposition to his 6 foot frame. Other notable set photos show him being nuzzled into Thor’s belly in Avengers: Endgame.

James Gunn’s post for his brother’s birthday highlights how many times the pair have worked with each other over the years. Sean has appeared in a number of his brother’s films outside of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, including Super, The Belko Experiment, and Tromeo and Juliet.

That collaborative spirit will continue as James Gunn pivots his comic book sensibilities to DC for The Suicde Squad. The R-rated blockbuster once again saw Sean Gunn doing motion capture work, bringing the animated villain Weasel to life in the process. We’ll just have to see how that character factors into the story, and if it manages to make it out alive.

Of course, Marvel fans also can’t wait to catch up with Kraglin in Guardians 3 or the Holiday Special. The character was noticeably missing from Avengers: Endgame’s final battle, despite Sean Gunn filming as his signature character. Hopefully he’s managed to learn how to use Yondu’s arrow by now.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will hit theaters May 5th, 2023. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience

The COVID-19 pandemic may not be over just yet, but it hasn’t stopped the mighty machine that is Marvel Studios. At present, the studio is rolling on a few different projects, and the most recent to head in front of the cameras is Thor: Love and Thunder. Filming is taking place in Australia and many of the stars have been heading to the “Land Down Under” to begin. Several Guardians of the Galaxy alums are slated to play roles, and it would now appear that another franchise vet has confirmed his involvement in the film.

Most Marvel Cinematic Universe fans know Sean Gunn as the loyal and hilarious Ravager, Kraglin. However, others will remember that he also serves as the stand-in actor for Rocket Raccoon, a role that has allowed him to appear in a number of MCU installments. While the actor hasn’t formally said that he’ll be showing up in Thor: Love and Thunder, a recent photo may have just confirmed it. Check out his Instagram post down below:

It would appear that Sean Gunn is enjoying some time in Sydney, Australia, around the same time that Thor: Love and Thunder has kicked off principal photography. Most would agree that this seems to be too much of a coincidence and that Gunn is likely in Australia to work on Taika Waititi’s new Marvel film.

With Gunn now seemingly confirmed, it would appear that just about all of the Guardians family will be featured in Thor: Love and Thunder. Sometime after it was first reported, Chris Pratt officially confirmed he would be returning as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, and he later arrived on the continent with co-stars Dave Bautista and Karen Gillan, who is sporting a new look. Pom Klementieff also seemed to confirm she had arrived in Australia.

An official synopsis has yet to be released for Thor: Love and Thunder, but we know the “Love” portion of the title will likely pertain to Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie searching for her queen. And in terms of the “Thunder,” the movie will also see Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster return and become the Mighty Thor.

It’s still hard to say how the Guardians of the Galaxy will play into the story. At the end of Avengers: Endgame, Thor did leave with them and was seemingly prepared to join them on new adventures. But what brings all of them back to New Asgard is anyone’s guess at this point.

Even if exact plot details are still foggy, the tidbits we do know about Thor’s fourth film are very exciting. We’ll see if lightning (or thunder?) strikes twice, when Taika Waititi brings Sean Gunn and the rest of the Guardians stars into his new film.

Thor: Love and Thunder is scheduled to hit theaters on May 6, 2022, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is currently headed for a 2023 release date.

Out of all the new TV shows coming soon to Disney+, the one that I think I am most looking forward to is What If…?, inspired by the comic book of the same name. It is described as a 10-episode animated anthology series that reimagines key events canon to the Marvel Cinematic Universe had things gone a little different. If that is not enough to surprise you, outside of first time Marvel actor Jeffrey Wright hosting the show Rod Serling-style as The Watcher, all of the MCU characters said to appear will be played by their original actors. I am certain that sparks a great deal of questions in your mind and I will be sure provide all the answers that I can in the following breakdown of every actor confirmed to lend their voice to the highly anticipated series, starting with the man who brought most of these characters together.

Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury)

It would be wrong to not include Samuel L. Jackson on a trippy, Marvel-inspired anthology as the voice of Nick Fury, although how the former S.H.I.E.L.D. director (also leading his own upcoming live action Disney+ series, Secret Invasion) will be depicted on What If…? has yet to be revealed.

Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter)

We might be able to infer from the first trailer for What If…? that Nick Fury will discover a frozen Peggy Carter (played once again by Hayley Atwell), who will be reimagined on the series as the Army’s choice for the Super Soldier Program instead of Steve Rogers, which, I suppose, would make her Captain Britain.

Dominic Cooper (Howard Stark)

Real-life Brit Dominic Cooper returns to play Iron Man’s father and S.H.I.E.L.D. co-founder Howard Stark (circa 1942) for the first time since the short-lived Agent Carter series, but to see Hayley Atwell’s character become a Super Soldier on What If…? this time.

Stanley Tucci (Dr. Abraham Erskine)

I wonder if the developer of the original Super Soldier Serum, German-born ally to the U.S. Army Dr. Abraham Erskine (voiced by Oscar-nominee Stanley Tucci), will suffer the same tragic fate on What If…? as he did in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger.

Toby Jones (Arnim Zola)

That being said, I am also curious if British Golden Globe-nominee Toby Jones’ reprisal of Arnim Zola, a Swiss HYDRA scientist and right hand man of Hugo Weaving’s Red Skull, will appear in his 1940s era human form, as a computer in the present day, or something completely different on What If…?

Neal McDonough (Dum Dum Dugan)

I mean, for all we know, Arrowverse star Neal McDonough’s return to the role of Sergeant Timothy Alloysius Cadwaller "Dum Dum" Dugan (the subsequent leader of the Howling Commandos after Steve Rogers’ supposed demise) on What If…? could see him become the Winter Soldier instead of Bucky Barnes.

Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier)

However, Bucky Barnes will appear as The Winter Soldier (voiced by Sebastian Stan, of course) on What If…?, and, based on the trailer, he seems to have taken on the role of a savior of the apocalypse against the long-awaited appearance of Marvel Zombies.

Frank Grillo (Crossbones)

Speaking of Marvel Zombies, I think there are few MCU characters better equipped (literally) to take on an army of the undead than Frank Grillo’s corrupt former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Brock Rumlow, whose brief reign as the armored terrorist Crossbones in Captain America: Civil War will, supposedly, be given an extension in some capacity on What If…?

Michael Douglas (Dr. Hank Pym/Ant-Man)

Seeing 76-year-old Oscar-winner Michael Douglas credited as the voice of both Hank Pym and Ant-Man has me curious if we are destined to see more of the brilliant scientist in his crimefighting days on the series and, considering much of the original Ultron’s creator’s arc in the MCU has already been a big What If…? story in itself.

Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man)

Of course, Paul Rudd is coming back to voice the MCU’s present-day Ant-Man, Scott Lang, as well, but besides also being credited as the incredibly shrinking Avenger in the cast list, I cannot find any preceding issues of the What If…? comic to give me any insight as to where his story on the series may lead him.

David Dastmalchian (Kurt)

There may, however, be a clue to Scott Lang’s role on What If…? is the inclusion of serial comic book adaptation star David Dastmalchian (The Dark Knight, The Flash, Gotham, the upcoming The Suicide Squad) returning as fellow reformed criminal Kurt from the Ant-Man movies, but there is not much else to infer from that.

Michael B. Jordan (Erik Killmonger)

Furthermore, I have no idea where to even begin when considering the possibilities of how What If…? will reexamine the already complex origins of Erik Killmonger when Michael B. Jordan returns to voice the Black Panther villain.

Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton/Hawkeye)

Clint Barton’s frequent, but subtle, reminiscing with Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow in the Avengers movies has always made me curious to see him in his pre-Hawkeye days as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and there is a chance that Jeremy Renner’s vocal reprisal on What If…? could touch upon that.

Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk)

With how often we can easily assume Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) has imagined what his life would be if had he never become the Hulk, it is not too far-fetched to infer that What If…? may take advantage of that opportunity, considering Avengers: Endgame already lived out the “Professor Hulk” scenario.

Chris Hemsworth (Thor)

On the other hand, there is much that could be expanded on with Hulk’s time on Sakaar before Chris Hemsworth showed up in Thor: Ragnarok, which could be a major source of inspiration for either he or Bruce Banner’s story reinventions on What If…? considering the inclusion of the next couple of characters.

Jeff Goldblum (The Grandmaster)

Anyone who has ached to see more from Jeff Goldblum’s dazzling performance in Thor: Ragnarok is in luck as The Grandmaster does have a role in What If…?

Taika Waititi (Korg)

Another scene-stealer from Thor: Ragnarok (and Avengers: Endgame, too) whom we can be thankful to know is in What If…? is Korg, once again voiced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi, who will also be directing and starring in the upcoming fourth installment, Thor: Love and Thunder.

Tom Hiddleston (Loki)

I do have another theory, however, that Thor may not even be the star of his What If…? episode and instead instead take the backseat in a story that sees Loki (voiced by Tom Hiddleston) claiming Mjolnir first, which would take inspiration from a real issue of the original comic book series from 1984.

Natalie Portman (Jane Foster)

If that turns out to be case, maybe What If…? will see leading astrophysicist Jane Foster fall in love with Loki instead of Thor, considering we already know that Natalie Portman will be making a live action return to the role in Thor: Love and Thunder as Chris Hemsworth’s successor to the “mighty” God of Thunder title.

Josh Brolin (Thanos)

It was “inevitable” that this series would have a place for Josh Brolin to come back as Thanos, who actually joined the Avengers in a 2015 issue of What If…?, although I would be interested to see an episode imagining the post-Decimation world had it not been reversed in Avengers: Endgame.

Karen Gillan (Nebula)

There is plenty to be inspired by in Thanos’ rocky relationship with his daughter, Nebula, for her story on What If…?, such as imagining Karen Gillan’s partially robotic warrior as the purple Titan’s favorite child over Gamora instead.

Djimon Hounsou (Korath)

After witnessing two awfully different portrayals of Korath the Pursuer as a merciless henchman to Ronan the Accuser in Guardians of the Galaxy and a more soft-spoken Starforce operative in Captain Marvel, I am very intrigued to see what Djimon Hounsou will bring the role on What If…?

Michael Rooker (Yondu Udonta)

Based on his brief appearance in the What If…? trailer, former Walking Dead star Michael Rooker does not seem to be changing much about his country-fried depiction of Ravager leader Yondu Udonta from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies on the series, which is just what I was hoping for.

Sean Gunn (Kraglin)

Other than starring alongside Michael Rooker in his brother’s new take on The Suicide Squad, 2021 will see Sean Gunn lending his voice to What If…? as his second most famous MCU character (after performing the motion capture for Rocket Raccoon), Kraglin.

Chris Sullivan (Taserface)

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Kraglin would come to regret allowing Yondu’s Ravager faction to be usurped by Taserface, the hilariously nicknamed scene-stealer whom Emmy-nominated This Is Us star Chris Sullivan will reprise on What If…?

Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa)

Before his devastating death in 2020, Chadwick Boseman was able to portray his Black Panther character one last time for one of the most fascinating concepts to be seen in What If…?: T’Challa as Star-Lord.

What do you think? Has it been your dream for Black Panther to become a Guardian of the Galaxy for a while now, or that does barely scratch the surface of what you want to see on this highly imaginative upcoming series? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for additional information and updates on What If…?, as well as even more inside looks at what to expect from your favorite upcoming comic book movies and TV shows, here on CinemaBlend.

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become a well-oiled machine, with every single installment of Phase Three resulting in critical and box office success. But some franchises have managed to stand out among the rest as fan favorites, chief among them being James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Fans are eager to see how the trilogy will end with Vol. 3, and actor Sean Gunn recently shared his hopes for Kraglin.

Sean Gunn plays a unique role in the MCU. Because in addition to his character Kraglin, the Gilmore Girls alum also stands in for Rocket during filming, acting opposite the rest of the cast before visual effects and Bradley Cooper's voice make the Guardian a reality. Fans are also invested in Kraglin, and Gunn shared his hopes for the Ravager in Guardians 3, saying:

Well, there you have it. It looks like Sean Gunn is hoping for some real Kraglin growth in Guardians fo the Galaxy Vol. 3. And in addition to gaining proper control over Yondu's signature arrow, he's also hoping the character has more control over his own personal path. And without his leader/friend with him, Yondu is seemingly going to have to grow up fast for the threequel.

Marvel fans can re-watch Sean Gunn's tenure in the MCU on Disney+. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

Sean Gunn's comments to TheMovieDweeb helps to show just how passionate the actor is about his dual role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the public doesn't get to enjoy his on set performances as Rocket Raccoon, Kraglin has a special place in the hearts of Guardians of the Galaxy fans. He was cut out of Avengers: Endgame's final action sequence, so the last time we saw the character was during Guardians 2's credits.

Later in his same interview, Sean Gunn explained how his hopes and dreams ultimately won't decide what will happen to Kraglin in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Instead, his job is to show up no set and tell the story written and directed by his brother James. In his words,

That's certainly a health way of looking at it, and no doubt helps Sean Gunn separate from the various characters he's played throughout the years. The 46 year-old actor has already spent years playing Rocket and Kraglin for the MCU in four movies thus far. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is one of the most highly anticipated projects coming from Marvel, with fans eager to see the ultimate fate of its cast of characters.

After a relatively small role in the original Guardians movie, Kraglin got much more screen time in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He was part of a mutiny against Yondu, before eventually changing his mind and backing his Ravager boss. He was also shown mourning Michael Rooker's character after his death, and attempting to get the hang of that deadly arrow.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is expected to arrive in theaters sometime in the next few years during Phase Five. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next movie experience.

It looks like the titular crew of The Suicide Squad is undergoing some major changes. Fans need not worry about losing favorites like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, Academy Award-winner Viola Davis' Amanda Waller, Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag and even Jai Courtney's Captain Boomerang. Yet, they should expect writer-director James Gunn’s new take on DC’s villainous crew of forced vigilantes to introduce a lot more characters into the mix (and I mean a lot more).

While there is still much being kept under wraps about the story of this new film we hesitate to call a sequel, which is set for a theatrical release of August 6, 2021, the DC FanDome event recently revealed nearly every previously unknown role that the star-studded cast (including Idris Elba and Nathan Fillion) are playing. While most of these characters are making their first official jump from comic books onto the screen, all of them are making their cinematic debuts in The Suicide Squad, and many of them may surprise you by their mere existence alone.

So who are the latest baddies to join Task Force X, what can we learn from their comic book origins and what should we expect from them in the upcoming film? Let’s take a deeper look at all 13 of these fresh faces to find out.

Bloodsport (Idris Elba)

While Idris Elba was originally cast to replace Will Smith as Deadshot in The Suicide Squad, it was later decided to have him play a different kind of gun-toting baddie named Bloodsport. Born Robert DuBois, the expert marksman first appeared in a 1987 issue of Superman as a draft dodger who suffered a mental breakdown following his brother’s grave injuries in Vietnam. His affiliation with Task Force X came after hewas jailed for shooting the Man of Steel with Kryptonite bullets provided by Lex Luthor, which the cast’s DC FanDome panel hinted will be a plot point in the film.

Peacemaker (John Cena)

Another DC character with canonical ties to Vietnam is Peacemaker, the alter ego of Austrian-born Christopher Smith (née Schmidt), who is still designated as a superhero, but his willingness to kill in the name of peace makes him a good candidate for Task Force X. Not to mention the fact that this paroled war criminal is a schizophrenic who believes his helmet traps the souls of his victims (much like Katana’s sword) with violent tendencies often derived from his bipolar disorder. Meanwhile, in the behind-the-scenes footage released during DC Fandome, John Cena simply refers to his The Suicide Squad role as “douchey Captain America.”

The Thinker (Peter Capaldi)

Speaking of more despicable takes on Marvel characters from DC, imagine if Charles Xavier had used Cerebro for more sinister purposes. In the most basic ways, that description matches Clifford DeVoe, better known as The Thinker, whose “Thinking Cap” gives him superior intellect and telekinetic abilities. The New 52’s more nightmarish character design, a man of unknown origin with mind-enhancing technology built directly into his skull in lieu of a helmet, seems to have inspired former Doctor Who actor Peter Calpadi’s portrayal, as evident by his appearance in The Suicide Squad cast roll call video unveiled during the DC Fandome.

Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian)

Having already made comic book history for being part of the MCU, the Dark Knight trilogy, Fox’s Gotham series and the Arrowverse, actor David Dastmalchian will enter his fifth realm of franchise continuity with The Suicide Squad, where he plays the first live action iteration of Polka-Dot Man. The conceptually ridiculous, yet dangerous alter-ego of Abner Krill first appeared in Detective Comics #300 as Mister Polka-Dot, who took on Batman with a special suit comprised of multi-colored, removable polka-dots that can be used for a variety of purposes, from deadly weapons to getaway vehicles. How that has not been given the big screen treatment until now, I will never understand.

Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior)

The official reveal of 23-year-old Portuguese actress Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher 2 in The Suicide Squad certainly piques our curiosity, as it suggests the role is more than your typical gender-swap. The original Ratcatcher was Otis Flannegan, a convicted murderer who turned against his responsibilities as a Gotham City exterminator to instead become a leader of the rodents he was tasked to kill, training them as his attack minions. How this second generation of rat royalty may relate to Flannegan is unclear, but a blink-and-you-miss-it shot from the behind-the-scenes sneak peak hints that Melchior’s character may be his daughter.

Blackguard (Pete Davidson)

An explanation for Pete Davidson’s blonde hair on Saturday Night Live finally came with the confirmation that he plays Blackguard in The Suicide Squad. Originally a small-time thug of lower intelligence named Richard Hertz, he became a top enemy of Booster Gold under his more famous and less embarrassingly suggestive moniker after crime syndicate The 1,000 fitted him with a powerful suit of armor. The reveal of the The King of Staten Island star’s role in the comic book movie comes a few months after hinting he wore “a big, uncomfortable suit,” and “got to hold Glocks,” which was just enough to rightfully keep fans in the dark.

Savant (Michael Rooker)

Because it would not be a James Gunn movie without his good-luck charm Michael Rooker, the actor who played Yondu in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, appears in The Suicide Squad as Savant. That's the alter-ego of billionaire Brian Durlin, who originally aspired to be a Gotham vigilante, only to be apprehended and discouraged by his hero, Batman. That subsequently inspired him to turn to the dark side. It appears that Rooker’s portrayal of the professional blackmailer, who has made enemies with criminals and heroes alike, is based on The New 52, which sees Savant as a Task Force X member in his darkest interpretation yet.

King Shark (Steve Agee)

The shark-like humanoid being Nanaue, better known as King Shark, has been a staple of the Suicide Squad since the dawn of The New 52, joining around the same time his arch-enemy Superboy tagged along for a mission. The son of the Shark God has a slew of superpowers ranging from your typical speed and stamina to regenerative health, and he will be making his cinematic debut in The Suicide Squad after The CW’s The Flash marked his first live action appearance. Playing Shark King in mo-cap is comedian Steve Agee, but since no new information on Taika Waititi’s role in the film has been revealed, people are speculating the New Zealand-born, Oscar-winning filmmaker may provide the voice.

Floyd “TDK” Belkin (Nathan Fillion)

Floyd Belkin has been known by a few aliases, including Splitter and (most memorably and hilariously) Arm-Fall-Off-Boy, but TDK seems to be a new one made just for The Suicide Squad, in which he will debut as played by another one of James Gunn’s frequent players, Nathan Fillion. Inspired by a fan-created parody hero that artist Curt Swan and writer Gerard Jones decided to make canon, the character was rejected by the Legion of Superheroes in his first appearance from 1989’s Secret Origins Vol. 2 #46. It appears he may have finally found a home with Task Force X, unless this is just another one of the actor’s brief cameos that Gunn tends to cast him in.

Weasel (Sean Gunn)

Upholding tradition established by his mo-cap performance as Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn cast his brother, Sean Gunn, as the aptly named Weasel in The Suicide Squad. However, it was not until The New 52 reboot that the villain was an actual furry creature, as he was originally introduced in the mid-1980s as John Monroe, a professor driven to murder the students who gave him the loathsome nickname “Weasel” while dressed as that very animal. He has a particularly violent history in the Squad, too, most notably for killing The Thinker, so perhaps we should expect a little animosity between them in the film.

The Javelin (Flula Borg)

Like Flula Borg, the comedic actor who plays him, The Javelin is a man of German origin who decided to use his athletic talents with the track and field device for evildoing instead of winning competitions for no clear reason. The supervillain, whose protection of his true identity is by far his most successful achievement, would join the Suicide Squad after Green Lantern defeated him, with his violent tendencies making worthy addition. However, Circe killed him with his own javelin in the War of the Gods storyline, so we will have to wait and see if this character’s namesake weapon ends up treating him better in the upcoming film.

Mongal (Mayling Ng)

Described as an “ally” of the Suicide Squad, we have Mongal, played by martial artist Mayling Ng, making her second DC appearance, after playing an Amazonian in Wonder Woman. The tyrannical alien from Debstam IV and daughter of Mongul the Elder is well known for luring Superman onto her father’s prison satellite called Warworld. Mongal would eventually become the queen of Almerac, her twin brother Mongal the Younger ended her reign by decapitating her.

Sol Soria (Alice Braga)

There is not much we can report on who Alice Braga is playing in The Suicide Squad, other than it not being Poison Ivy as previous rumors suggested, as no character name Sol Soria exists in the DC Comics continuity. However, it could be speculated that she is either a gender-flipped iteration or relative of Juan Soria, a Justice League reject with an [electronic skeleton key for a hand](https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/JuanSoria(PrimeEarth), whose brief stint in a couple of _Suicide Squad comics in 2018 ended when Killer Croc ate him. Hopefully, Sol Soria is blessed with a different fate.

What do you think? Does this new ensemble show promise that Task Force X will return bigger and better than ever in The Suicide Squad, or does it look a bloated recipe for disaster? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check back for additional information and updates on this comic book movie extravaganza, as well as even more in-depth looks at the most anticipated upcoming movies and TV shows, here on CinemaBlend.

I am sure that you probably recognize Milo Ventimiglia from his Emmy-nominated work on This Is Us, or you know Melissa McCarthy from her Oscar-nominated work on Bridesmaids. Yet, unless you still stream repeats of the series on a loop, you may have forgotten what show was responsible for essentially kickstarting their careers: Gilmore Girls.

The one-hour dramedy about single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), her teenage daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), and the eccentric townsfolk they endure on a daily basis in Stars Hollow, Connecticut, ran for seven seasons on The WB (later The CW). For having a simple premise and an almost entirely dialogue-driven structure, its clever narratives and wonderful cast ensured it would be popular enough to garner a four-part sequel on Netflix almost a decade after it ended in 2007.

By then, much of the cast, from one-episode wonders to regulars from the beginning and behind-the scenes personalities had already gone onto bigger things. For some, much bigger. The following are just 10 stars whose resumes prove that Gilmore Girls was a fruitful breeding ground for celebrities in the making.

Alexis Bledel (Rory Gilmore)

From playing a young, but spunky, prostitute in Sin City, joining a sisterhood based on a pair of very durable jeans, and a college professor turned resistance agent on Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale (for which she won a Primetime Emmy) Alexis Bledel is one of the most versatile and charming actresses of her generation. Of course, the former teen model’s most recognizable character remains her first ever credited role in Gilmore Girls, on which she made the social, romantic, and career-based aspirations of Rory Gilmore just as important to us as our own daily struggles.

Sean Gunn (Kirk Gleason)

Earlier, when I spoke of “eccentric individuals,” I was mostly referring to Kirk Gleason: a socially inept mama’s boy who held many jobs in Stars Hollow, and was played by Sean Gunn. Kirk is widely considered the actor’s best known character, which could be because his A-lister co-stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe often get the bigger pieces of the spotlight despite his dual roles in the MCU (Kraglin and Rocket Raccoon’s body double). He is also frequently cast by his brother, a little filmmaker you might have heard of named James Gunn.

Jared Padalecki (Dean Forester)

I must say, I find it hilariously ironic how Jared Padalecki initially rose to heartthrob prominence on Gilmore Girls as Rory’s first love, Dean Forester, and would later be cast in his defining role on Supernatural as Sam Winchester, who snuffs out paranormal activity with his brother, Dean. Now, with the fantastic fellow CW series nearing its end after 15 seasons, the 37-year-old “scream king” will star in the title role of Walker which is - you guessed it - a reboot of the Walker, Texas Ranger crime series originally headlined by Chuck Norris.

Melissa McCarthy (Sookie St. James)

Despite being a series regular for the entire run of Gilmore Girls as Independence Inn chef (and later co-owner of the Dragonfly Inn) Sookie St. James, Melissa McCarthy did not become much of a TV star until her Emmy-winning turn on CBS sitcom Mike & Molly. It was the following year, after earning her first Academy Award nomination for her supporting role in 2011’s Bridesmaids, when she became a movie star and one of the most sought after comedic actresses in Hollywood, leading to her casting as Ursula in Disney’s upcoming live action remake of The Little Mermaid.

Milo Ventimiglia (Jess Mariano)

After several years of one small movie appearance or ill-fated TV role after another, Milo Ventimiglia’s career finally got a taste of stability after he joined the cast of Gilmore Girls in Season 2 as the troubled Jess Mariano, who was the nephew to Luke (Scott Patterson) and rival to Rory’s jealous boyfriend, Dean. After leaving the show in 2006, Ventimiglia was cast as a flying paramedic on NBC’s sci-fi cult favorite Heroes and, currently stars on one of the network’s biggest modern hits, This Is Us, in the three-time Emmy-nominated role of devoted late father Jack Pearson.

Adam Brody (Dave Rygalski)

After playing Lane Kim’s (Keiko Agena) love interest Dave Rygalski, a well-natured nerd, on Gilmore Girls for nine episodes, Adam Brody left the series to play Seth Cohen, a well-natured nerd, on the Fox teen drama The O.C. Fortunately, the 40-year-old actor has since avoided being typecast too often, taking roles such as a hard-partying fantasy football participant in The League, a grief-stricken, alcoholic descendant of a murderous family in Ready or Not, and The Flash in George Miller’s ill-fated Justice League project.

Krysten Ritter (Lucy)

Despite her short stint on Gilmore Girls, Krysten Ritter played a crucial part in one of the juiciest story arcs of Rory’s college years as Lucy, a fellow Yalie and friend who unwittingly dated a past unrequited admirer of Rory's named Marty (Wayne Wilcox). The actress would go on to have another short-lived yet memorable role as a tragic lover of Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad before landing the lead on the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, followed by nabbing the title role on the gritty Netflix crime drama based on Marvel hero Jessica Jones.

Danny Pudi (Raj)

In yet another instance of short stints on Gilmore Girls, Danny Pudi starred as Raj, a fellow staffworker at the Yale Daily News, who worked alongside Rory for a total of four episodes. The actor’s more memorable college-set role would come in the form of Abed Nadir, the self-aware walking encyclopedia of sci-fi knowledge, on Dan Harmon’s much-worshipped NBC comedy Community.

Rami Malek (Andy)

One of the most acclaimed actors in the world right now is Rami Malek. The Egyptian-American is the Emmy-winning star of Mr. Robot, Oscar-winning star of Bohemian Rhapsody, and scar-faced antagonist of the latest James Bond film No Time to Die. However, this remarkable actor debuted with a brief, single episode appearance in the fourth season of Gilmore Girls as Andy, a member of Lane’s bible study group, with three lines.

Amy Sherman-Palladino (Creator)

After getting her start as part of the writing staff of various comedies and dramas, none more successful than Roseanne, Amy Sherman-Palladino made a name for herself by creating her own show that incorporated both humor and true-life drama, which turned out to be Gilmore Girls. She would later find the biggest success of her career yet in creating The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, an Amazon Prime original series that follows a Jewish woman who pursues a career in comedy in the 1960s. The series is currently in its third season has earned Sherman-Palladino five Emmys thus far.

What do you think? Are these the greatest careers to come out of Gilmore Girls or, for my next article, do you think I should lead where you follow instead? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for more information on this beloved series or updates on other television favorites here on CinemaBlend.

James Gunn gave the Marvel Cinematic Universe an eclectic group of characters in the form of the Guardians of the Galaxy, and their franchise has quickly become one of the MCU’s most popular. Gunn has also surrounded them with a firm supporting cast, whose roles have grown with time. This was certainly the case for Yondu Udonta. Now, it appears another character is going to get even more time to shine in the upcoming threequel.

James Gunn, who’s known for regularly interacting with his fans, participated in a Q&A on Instagram. During the chat, the filmmaker was asked if Kraglin, who’s played by his brother Sean, would have a bigger role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gunn then responded with a simple "yeah."

Well, fans of Kraglin are sure to be pleased to know that Yondu’s Ravager first mate will have a bigger part to play in the Guardians’ next big-screen outing. This also echos past comments from James Gunn that indicated his intention to give Kraglin more screen time.

Since making his debut in the original Guardians film, Sean Gunn has played two key roles in the MCU. On top of playing Kraglin, he also serves as the on-set stand-in for Rocket Raccoon, which he’s done for all of the character’s appearances. So in a way, providing Kraglin with more to do would be a way of giving Gunn his just due.

The last time audiences saw Kraglin he was mourning (and celebrating) Yondu, who sacrificed himself during the climax of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. A post-credits scene also revealed that his former captain bequeathed his deadly fin and Yaka arrow to him. Unfortunately, Kraglin hadn’t quite gotten the hang of using the two weapons.

We later learned that Kraglin was originally set to appear in Avengers: Endgame, as he would join Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and his fellow Ravagers, in taking on Thanos’ army in the third act. Sean Gunn has even revealed that he shot an air battle sequence, with the hero adeptly wielding his new tools. But ultimately, Gunn says the scene was cut for narrative reasons, which he understood.

Kraglin’s Endgame absence may be a letdown for some, but it could still allude to his potential role in Guardians 3. As Yondu’s right-hand man and the bearer of his weapons, Kraglin may now be the leader of his crew of Ravagers. This new role alone could definitely give him a bigger presence moving forward.

Not much is known about the capper to James Gunn’s trilogy right now, and that’ll probably be the case for some time. Yet fans can savor the fact that their favorite galactic heroes will cross paths with Kraglin at least one more time.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a massive place, with tons of characters populating the various franchises. But certain properties stand out among the rest as fan favorites, like James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Gunn masterfully introduced each member of the team, who are given both comedy and heart. One of the supporting character in the franchise is Sean Gunn's Kraglin, a Ravager who was especially close with Yondu. And it looks like James Gunn has big plans for his brother's character.

Sean Gunn has an interesting role in the MCU. In addition to playing Kraglin, he also stands in for Rocket during filming, including his appearances in the Avengers movies. Kraglin was noticeably absent from Endgame, despite the actor filming a scene in the final battle. James Gunn was recently asked about the character, to which he said:

How delightfully cryptic. It'll be a number of years before Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 finally arrives in theaters, so fans will be left to wonder about how Kraglin will factor into the story. But clearly the director has a plan in place. Although it should be interesting to see how the threequel is influenced by the Guardians comics, which you can catch up on here.

James Gunn's comments come from his recent (long) Instagram Q&A. The filmmaker fielded all sorts of questions from the fans, using social media to directly answer those burning queries. Eventually the conversation turned to Kraglin, who ended up on the cutting room floor of Avengers: Endgame. Not only does Gunn know what he's going to do with the character moving forward, but the plans are apparently large in scale.

It seems like Kraglin goes go seemingly anywhere moving forward, especially now that he's become more of a leader within the Ravagers. The group of space pirates got involved in the final battle against Thanos, bringing extra forces to fight his army alongside the Wakandans and Masters of the Mystic Arts. Yondu is also now in possession of Yondu's signature arrow, with fans eager to see him dispatch of enemies with the iconic weapon.

Related: Sean Gunn Got Super Close To Thor’s Belly While Filming Avengers: Endgame

Kraglin was last seen in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which showed his loyalty to Yondu in the face of the Ravager mutiny. And after mourning him during the firework-laden funeral, Kraglin shakily attempted to use Yondu's deadly arrow-- to hilarious results. But he didn't actually join the Guardians of the Galaxy, not present when the group ran into Thor (literally) in Avengers: Infinity War.

It should be interesting to see how James Gunn ends his trilogy with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and how it services each member of the team. Kraglin is more of an honorary Guardian, although that has the potential to change with the upcoming threequel. But clearly the director has a specific vision, including one for his brother's character.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is expected to arrive in theaters sometime in 2021. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Avengers: Endgame may have arrived back in April, but every week includes more information about The Russo Brothers' epic blockbuster. The pair of directors managed to do the impossible, crafting a narrative that was complicated but not overstuffed, and able to service the myriad characters that make up the MCU. Since the movie was so jam-packed, plenty of moments had to be left on the cutting room floor. And this includes an air battle, which would have featured Sean Gunn's Kraglin.

Kraglin is a quirky side character in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, played by James Gunn's brother Sean (who is also the stand-in for Rocket during filming). After Endgame was released, a set photo was revealed of Sean Gunn filming as Kraglin, revealing that the Ravager leader was somewhere in that final battle against Thanos. He recently opened up about that deleted sequence, saying:

FOMO alert. Not only did Kraglin have a deleted role in Avengers: Endgame, but we also would have gotten a brief appearance from Youndu's signature arrow. Even if he didn't actually use it in the battle.

Sean Gunn's comments Screen Rant are exciting, and will have fans wondering what the Battle of the Sky would have looked like during Endgame's epic conclusion. The galaxy's final stand against Thanos was a huge battle, which featured every major character of the MCU. Epic team-ups occurred, and even Howard the Duck joined the fight. Kraglin was there for it too, although we didn't actually see him on screen.

Related: Avengers: Endgame Writers Explain Why Nick Fury Wasn’t In The Final Battle

There are plenty of MCU character are capable of flight, so seeing the battle in the air would have been another interesting perspective on Endgame's final battle. And in addition to characters like War Machine, Iron Man, and Rescue, the portal sequence showed a variety of ships arriving for the battle as well. They came from Wakanda, New Asgard, and the Ravagers all flew in artillery to take on Thanos, but the movie didn't focus on the battle happening above the rest of the characters.

As a reminder, you can check out the set photo featuring Sean Gunn's Kraglin below.

Ultimately Kraglin didn't get any screen time in Avengers: Endgame, including during Tony's funeral. Still, Sean Gunn's contribution to the blockbuster can't be understated. He was the one filming as Rocket and being a scene partner for the rest of the cast, before visual effects and Bradley Cooper's voice was ultimately added to the fan favorite character.

Avengers: Endgame is currently available on DVD and Blu-ray, and Sean Gunn will return to the MCU in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

With James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 seemingly now a part of Marvel’s Phase 5, pending an appearance in something like The Eternals or Thor: Love and Thunder, it could be a while before we see the Ravagers onscreen again. Fear not though, because the band of interstellar rogues won’t be entirely absent from the world during that time. In fact Sean Gunn is actually teasing an upcoming Ravager reunion. Take a look:

Yes, you can meet the Ravagers in person, and unlike Peter Quill, you don’t need to get abducted by Yondu's Ravager Clan to do it. As Sean Gunn teased on his Instagram, a Ravager reunion, or as he dubbed it, a “Ravager Hoedown” will be happening at Bubba Fest! America’s Original Southern-Fried Comic Con, which takes place in Knoxville, Tennessee from August 23-25.

Sean Gunn, who plays the on-set Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy and the two most recent Avengers films, as well as the Ravager Kraglin, will reunite at the convention with actor and fellow Ravager, Chris Sullivan. Chris Sullivan played the hilariously-named and unfortunate-looking Taserface in the second Guardians movie. He was the Ravager who mutinied against Yondu, was ripped by Rocket and died. Chris Sullivan is also known for his roles in This Is Us and Stranger Things.

These two former cinematic allies will be reuniting after Sean Gunn’s Kraglin accidentally started Taserface’s mutiny in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. This reunion will give fans an opportunity to meet two of the Ravagers in person and undoubtedly ask pressing questions about the beloved projects they are and have been in.

For Sean Gunn, that means Avengers: Endgame (yup, he was in there) questions and for Chris Sullivan, that means This Is Us, in addition to the Guardians questions of course. Chris Sullivan and Sean Gunn are also both slated to reprise their respective roles in voice form for Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ series What If…?, so that represents a whole host of possibilities fans can ask futile questions about.

Although Sean Gunn and Chris Sullivan are the only two Ravagers that will be in attendance at Bubba Fest!, there are many other famous and familiar names from the worlds of film, television, wrestling and comics who will be in Knoxville. Among them are Chuck Norris, Michael Madsen, Lee Majors, Brian O’Halloran, David Fielding, Jamie fookin’ Lannister himself Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and the creator/co-creator of Thanos, Drax, Gamora and Shang-Chi, Jim Starlin.

Other than the aforementioned What If…?, we’ll presumably next see the Ravagers and Sean Gunn’s Kraglin in his brother James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. With Yondu dead and Kraglin leading the Ravagers into battle in Avengers: Endgame, we’ll have to see if he plays an even bigger role in the third film.

If you’re interested in attending the Ravager reunion at Bubba Fest!, you can still get tickets at the website. Check out our guide to see when all of the MCU’s Phase 4 films are hitting, and stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest movie news.

Alright, so maybe half of Hollywood will be able to say they were part of the MCU at one point or the other by the time Marvel Studios has completely devised its masterplan on screen. That said, only a large handful got to witness the phenomenon that became Avengers: Endgame on set – including Guardians of the Galaxy’s Sean Gunn, who played double duty as Kraglin and the on-set Rocket.

In celebration of Endgame’s Blu-ray release on Tuesday, CinemaBlend had a chance to sit down with Sean Gunn at his stop at a Best Buy in Torrance for the “We Love You 3000 Tour”. He reminisced about being apart of the movie with these words in our interview:

Oh, to be a fly on the wall of Endgame! Sean Gunn got to be around the big Avengers stars and filmmakers during the shooting of the last two epics by the Russos. As he explained, what sticks with him is seeing the original Avengers talking to newbies such as Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel and seeing them bond over the experience, such as those pesky superhero suits.

Brie Larson found herself in a unique position on the set of Endgame because it was her first time playing Carol Danvers, but it would be her second appearance when it hit theaters. Luckily, it must have been a fun experience to be inducted into the MCU family with Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Black Widow and such to show her the ropes of the job.

The Captain Marvel writer/directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck had to be given the script of Endgame to make sure it fit the origin story they wanted to tell. It was a strange and unique process, and they got to visit the set as well before shooting Captain Marvel as indie filmmakers who previously worked on Half Nelson and It’s Kind of a Funny Story.

Sean Gunn continued to share the scope of being on set of Endgame. Here’s what he said:

The actor knew full well how rare his moments on Endgame were. Just how often is a decade+ of 22 movies about superheroes going to culminate in a massive battle and funeral filled with talent such as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, etc. Probably never. Take a look at Sean Gunn on set during filming with all his star-studded co-stars.

Wild indeed! While Sean Gunn sarcastically quips that he’s definitely “the most famous person here,” everyone in that room was part of history. Not only is Avengers: Endgame the MCU’s most successful film, it's also the highest-grossing movie of all time. Heck, people were lined up at a Best Buy to meet him in an age where digital releases reign, since Endgame is now available to own on Blu-ray!

In the eight-month interim between when he was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and then rehired by Disney, filmmaker James Gunn leaped to the DC Extended Universe and signed on to write and direct The Suicide Squad. We’re still a ways off from learning what the next adventure starring the officially-designated Task Force X is about, but according to Sean Gunn, who’s collaborated with his brother on multiple projects, James Gunn’s script is impressive. As Sean Gunn put it:

It remains to be seen if Sean Gunn will appear in The Suicide Squad, having previously worked in the comic book adaptation realm with his brother by playing Kraglin and the on-set Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies (I suspect he’ll get a role). But as he told Comicbook.com, Sean Gunn’s already read The Suicide Squad, liked the explosive story and is looking forward to seeing what unfolds next in the creative process.

While 2016’s Suicide Squad was a commercial success for Warner Bros and DC, making nearly $747 million worldwide, it took a critical beating. So fingers crossed that Sean Gunn’s assessment that James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad script is “very good” is accurate and that this follow-up improves the team’s cinematic reputation. Then again, looking at James Gunn’s body of work, the chances of this movie being entertaining (at the very least) are likelier than not.

James Gunn officially boarded The Suicide Squad in October of last year, bringing an end to years of directors coming and going from the project, including Jaume Collet-Serra and Gavin O’Connor. As Sean Gunn noted, The Suicide Squad is scheduled to begin this fall, with James Gunn delivering that movie before he resumes work on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Although The Suicide Squad is reportedly being framed as more of a relaunch than a direct Suicide Squad sequel (though James Gunn won’t comment on that), there will be several familiar faces returning: Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang, Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller and Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag.

As for new faces, they include David Dastmalchian as Polka-Dot Man, Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher, Idris Elba as a yet-to-be-identified character (he was originally supposed to take over as Deadshot from Will Smith) and Storm Reid as the daughter of Elba’s character. John Cena has been eyed to play Peacemaker, Benicio del Toro is rumored to be playing the main villain and King Shark will also reportedly show up. But don’t expect to see Batman.

The Suicide Squad opens in theaters on August 5, 2021, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for continuing coverage. In the meantime, look through our DC movies guide to learn what else this franchise has coming down the pipeline.

Making Avengers:Endgame was an epic experience for the cast and crew as they brought together two dozen films over more than 10 years into one epic conclusion. Of course, not everybody in the film looked all that epic. Chris Hemsworth's Thor had sort of let himself go, which, as it turns out, was sort of a problem for those people who had to work closely with him. A behind-the-scenes image of Endgame helps remind us that Rocket isn't just a CGI creation, but an actual person, who had to get up close and personal with Thor's belly. Check it out.

from r/marvelstudios

Sean Gunn may be best known for playing the role of Kraglin in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, but he's also the physical stand-in for Rocket on set. He's there so that the rest of the cast have somebody to respond to and to make sure sure nobody accidentally steps where Rocket is supposed to be. Unfortunately, in the case of Avengers: Endgame, that means being in a unique position as it relates to Thor.

This scene was funny when we saw the CGI character being embraced by the overweight god, now it is somehow funnier, and also terrible, to see this happen to the real man. Although, based on several of the comments on Reddit, where the image was posted, there's no shortage of people who would be happy to switch places with Sean Gunn, regardless of the state of Chris Hemsworth's abs.

When we first see Thor in Avengers: Endgame, Rocket and Hulk have traveled to New Asgard to find their friend. Thor is so happy to see them that he grabs Rocket and gives him a big hug, one that means been smashed against Thor's now excessively flabby belly.

The new version of Thor, who had lost all hope and thus was falling apart, was one of the best parts of Endgame. While there's certainly comedy in the performance, there's also tragedy. He, like several of the other characters, has been broken by the events of Avengers: Infinity War. He isn't sure how to go on. His new appearance is simply an outward sign of inner turmoil.

And yet, "Lebowski Thor" is now popular in his own right. He didn't magically transform back to his old self at the end of Endgame, and considering how popular he is now, perhaps he'll look the same in the upcoming sequel.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for both Thor and Rocket. We know we'll see them, both again at least once. Thor: Love and Thunder is already set for 2021 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is coming, though the movie has yet to be given a new release date once it got back on track.

Massive spoilers ahead for Avengers: Endgame.

Avengers: Endgame has been in theaters for weeks, and the public is still making revelations about the behemoth blockbuster. The Russo Brothers threw everything and the kitchen sink into the movie, including countless cameos, time travel, and some gutting character deaths. And every major MCU character appeared in the film's final battle sequence, thanks to some magical portals and the dusted characters' resurrection.

Moviegoers were delighted to see so many characters in one place, and the Endgame's last battle was a visual masterpiece with more action than one set of eyes could truly take in. A video from the set revealed that actor Sean Gunn played Guardians side character Kraglin in the movie, although the fandom has had trouble tracking him down in the theatrical cut. But a new photo may have revealed where Kraglin was during the final war against Thanos. Check it out.

So THAT'S why we didn't spot Kraglin in those insanely epic Avengers: Endgame battle shots. Because he wasn't on the ground with the majority of heroes, and was instead piloting one of the Ravager vehicles that were shown above the rubble.

This new image comes to us from Instagram, and shows actor Sean Gunn recording his quick cameo as Kraglin in Avengers: Endgame. We see the actor surrounded by green screens, with Kraglin piloting some sort of intergalactic motorcycle. What's more, he's got a fancy new finn atop his head, as he's still wielding Yondu's arrow as his primary weapon.

Kraglin piloting a Ravager vehicle certainly explains why he wasn't given any super epic moments during the galaxy's last stand against the Mad Titan. From the set image, it looks like Sean Gunn recorded a brief feature for his signature Guardians of the Galaxy character, although it ended up on the cutting room floor. Although even if his shot was cut, Kraglin could have been featured in a more subtle way.

As previously stated, the Avengers: Endgame conclusion featured countless characters, all involved in a complicated action sequence that is a visual masterpiece. But The Russo Brothers and their team(s) of visual affects artists may have missed a subtle opportunity to include Kraglin in the battle. Because even if his solo shot was cut, the battlefield could have seen Thanos' forces being killed by Yondu's arrow. The iconic weapon leaves a red trail behind it, so the hardcore fans would have figured it out, and likely lost their minds.

Related: Avengers: Endgame Writers Reveal If Captain America Could Wield The Infinity Gauntlet

While Kraglin wasn't shown in Avengers: Endgame, Sean Gunn did a ton of work for the acclaimed blockbuster. Gunn is Rocket's stand-in during scenes, acting opposite his scene partners, including the Guardians and Avengers. Eventually the visual affects bring Rocket to life, and Bradley Cooper's voice is edited into the final cut.

Avengers: Endgame is in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Once Captain America says the words “Avengers Assemble” in Endgame’s final battle sequence, the big screen crowds with MCU characters from every corner of the universe including the Wakandans, Masters of the Mythic Arts, the Valkyrie and the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy. There’s so much happening that we certainly missed the entire roll call of Marvel characters.

In celebration of the movie’s release, Robert Downey Jr. took to Instagram to share the massive amount of people involved in the scene, with a four-photo wide group photo of the cast and crew. In the second shot, Sean Gunn is dressed in character for Guardians of the Galaxy’s Kraglin. This is awkward… was he in the movie? Take a look:

If you’re having trouble finding the fan-favorite Ravager, Sean Gunn can be seen behind and to the right of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor – just look for that braided beard. This is a bit of a surprise because Kraglin didn’t have a big moment in Endgame. Perhaps he was in the background while our eyes were focused on another dominant character and we missed him?

Just about every character showed up for the battle scene, so it’s not tough to imagine that the new leader of the Ravagers came out to assemble for battle. Fans spotted a Howard the Duck cameo during the sequence, and there were tons of unexpected MCU characters in the movie, including Robert Redford’s Alexander Pierce, Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster, Harley Keener from Iron Man 3 and Edwin Jarvis from ABC’s cancelled Agent Carter series.

Perhaps you spotted Sean Gunn’s Kraglin fighting the good fight in Endgame? According to Fandom’s MCU Wiki, the character led the Ravagers into battle through one of the portals. Kraglin certainly wasn’t in Infinity War, so the group shot had to be from Endgame.

For the finale scene, the Russos likely shot more moments including various MCU characters then what made the final cut so while Kraglin didn’t have a particularly memorable moment in Endgame, he may have still filmed one.

If Sean Gunn wasn’t donning Kraglin’s gear (with a new fin) in the picture, we could easily count him in for his work as Rocket the Racoon. While Bradley Cooper voices the furry Guardian, Gunn has played the stand-in on set since the 2014 film and did so again for Infinity War and Endgame. Since he’d be on set already for Rocket, it would be easy for him to make a quick change to Kraglin for a scene in the battle.

While now we’re second guessing Kraglin’s appearance in Avengers: Endgame, he’ll likely return to the upcoming Phase 4 film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, to be helmed by his brother James Gunn. Did you see Kraglin in Endgame? Tell us in the comments below.

It seems so silly in hindsight knowing what we know now, but prior to its release, the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie was seen as a big gamble on the part of Marvel Studios. These were quirky D-list characters with zero name recognition that were almost completely divorced from the heroes the studio had spent six years building up. How could they possibly succeed?

Of course, Marvel knew better and Guardians of the Galaxy went on to become a major hit, so much so that even those who believed in the project were blown away. Among them was writer-director James Gunn’s brother, Sean Gunn, who plays Kraglin and the on-set Rocket Raccoon in the films. Sean Gunn was surprised by just how massive the first movie's success was, as he explained:

As someone who was aware of what his brother was capable of and had read the script, Sean Gunn knew that the doubters were wrong. He saw the potential of Guardians of the Galaxy and how special it could be, and that audiences would like it. Yet even with the confidence of having been a part of the film, Sean Gunn still couldn’t have predicted that it would be a hit on the massive level that it was.

As Sean Gunn told ComicBook.com, Marvel marketed this seemingly risky movie well and Guardians of the Galaxy wound up striking a major chord with audiences. Moviegoers of all ages found something to love, from younger audiences falling in love with the characters to how it reminded older audiences of the films of the 1980s. This brilliant alchemy resulted in an unqualified smash hit.

That first Guardians of the Galaxy came out in August of 2014 and went on to make $773.3 million worldwide to become one of Marvel’s biggest movies, surpassing all but Iron Man 3 and The Avengers at the time. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was even bigger and earned $863.7 million worldwide.

These former D-listers are now a billion dollar property and household names. They even have their own ride at Disneyland and one coming to Walt Disney World. That level of massive success probably would have surprised even the most pie-in-the-sky optimist of Guardians of the Galaxy.

Guardians of the Galaxy succeeded on its own merits, but also because it no longer matters if characters are considered A-list. As Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange, Black Panther and Captain Marvel have proven, Marvel is the selling point that gets people in the door and then the characters do the rest.

The success looks to continue for the Guardian,  because Sean Gunn’s brother James is returning to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. That film is still a few years away, but when it becomes another box office hit, no one will be surprised.

You don’t have to wait that long to see the Guardians though, because they, along with the rest of the MCU, are a part of this weekend’s Avengers: Endgame. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to see what you can look forward to this summer movie season.

Last night was the premiere of Avengers: Endgame. It was an event over 10 years in the making and nearly everybody who has ever been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was in attendance to see how the story came to an end. However, one person who was conspicuous by his absence was James Gunn. The Guardians of the Galaxy director did not attend the gala event last night, but according to his brother, Sean Gunn, explained that he was there in spirit.

To be fair, James Gunn certainly does have a lot of work on his plate right now. He has not one, but two blockbuster comic book team up movies to write and direct in the coming months. One of those, the sequel to Suicide Squad, is set to go before cameras before too long, so it's very possible that Gunn just couldn't pull himself away. If that script isn't ready, then there is work that needs to be done.

At the same time, for many, James Gunn is a man as directly linked to the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise as any filmmaker is to any part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sean Gunn isn't just talking when he tells THR that James Gunn's thoughts are at the premiere, that has to be true. The director called the script to Guardians 3 "his heart" when he finished it.

James Gunn has certainly had one of the more interesting career paths of the last 10 months. The writer was fired from his position as director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 last July, following the unearthing of some less than flattering statements but was then rehired sometime later, though that fact only came to light recently. In the interim, Gunn had made the deal to write The Suicide Squad, and he will direct that movie before moving on to do Guardians 3 after all.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, James Gunn has kept something of a low profile ever since the events that led to his firing. Gunn used to be incredibly prolific on Twitter, but he left the service after issuing yet another apology for the tweets that got him in trouble. Since then, he's only tweeted three times. Once to thank the people who supported him after the news of his return to Marvel had been announced, and twice to help promote the upcoming film Brightburn which he helped produce.

Whether Gunn is still simply trying to stay out of the limelight, or he's truly buried in work, or some combination of the two, is hard to know, but it likely won't last too much longer. Once The Suicide Squad goes into production it will be hard to keep a low profile. The promotional machine, including social media, will be in full swing and DC likely won't want Gunn to stay quiet at that point.

If anything, it's too bad James Gunn wasn't at the premiere because by all accounts the movie is something special.

After a long year of waiting, Avengers: Endgame is just days away from arriving in theaters. Moviegoers are eager to jump back into the MCU, and see how the galaxy is recovering after losing half of all life. Infinity War shocked fans by killing off a ton of characters, with the upcoming movie reportedly focusing on the survivors. From the Guardians of the Galaxy, the only ones left are Nebula and Rocket.

Rocket Raccoon is a fan favorite of the Guardians franchise, and is brought to life by a pair of actors. While Bradley Cooper voices the foulmouthed pilot, actor Sean Gunn stands in and plays the role throughout filming. Gunn recently opened up about this process, and how he essentially invented the method on the spot. As he tells it,

Well, this is an interesting peek behind the curtain. Because while Sean Gunn and Marvel Studios have Rocket's motion capture work down to a science, the kinks weren't worked out prior to filming the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. And Gunn's willingness to use his body and transform into Rocket on set is part of the reason why the CGI character seems so real.

Standing in for Rocket during rehearsals and filming might seem like a thankless job, but Sean Gunn has another role in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. He also plays Ravager Kraglin, one of Yondu's closest buddies. Of course, Kraglin hasn't been included in Infinity War and Endgame, so Gunn has an under the radar part in those massive ensemble projects.

Sean Gunn might not be voicing Rocket, but he has just as much ownership over the character. Since he's the one inhabiting the fan favorite Guardian during all of his scenes, he's spent more time with Rocket than Bradley Cooper. Cooper's voice performance is stunning, but someone needs to be on set to act along Rocket's scene partners. Enter Mr. Gunn.

Rocket is one of the survivors of Thanos' snap (aka The Decimation), so he should presumably have a meaty role in Avengers: Endgame. The Russo Brothers keeping Rocket and Nebula alive is an inspiring creative choice, as they're the most damaged members of the Guardians. The apocalypse may just force them together, and hopefully change their dynamic in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Sean Gunn's work as Rocket can be seen when Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters on April 26th. In the meantime, fill out CinemaBlend's Endgame death pool, and check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a fairly well-oiled machine at this point, with 21 movies and a decade of filmmaking under its belt. The studio has especially hit its stride with Phase Three, as every single release has been a box office and critical success. But there were a few bumps in the road, especially James Gunn's firing and eventual reinstatement as director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

James Gunn was fired in July after offensive tweets from a decade ago resurfaced, and Disney attempted to distance itself from that narrative. But considering how much of Gunn is infused with the Guardians franchise, it put the future of the threequel in jeopardy. James' brother Sean Gunn plays Kraglin and stands in for Rocket during filming, and therefore discovered the news early. As he tells it:

The public was shocked by James Gunn's return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it doesn't look like Sean Gunn was. He saw the plan in the works for some time before it was official, although he found out about the final decision in the news just like everyone else. I guess it pays to be related to the subject of such a major story.

Sean Gunn's comments to Comic Book show that the deal with James Gunn went back quite some time. It came out of nowhere for the public, but was likely a long process filled with red tape and legalese. It was certainly a bold choice for Marvel to do an about-face, and bring Gunn back into the fold. What's more, the director recently signed on to helm The Suicide Squad for DC, so there was probably extra contracts and scheduling issues as part of the deal.

It stands to reason that Sean Gunn would be privy to more information than most, as its his sibling who is the mind behind the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. On top of hearing about it from his brother, Sean is also an important cast member of the property. While he's not a bonafide member of the member, Kraglin has had a supporting role in the first two movies. What's more, Sean also does the motion capture work for Rocket on set, with Bradley Cooper eventually stepping into the studio to record dialogue, and extensive visual affects bringing the character to life.

Sean Gunn also played Rocket during Avengers: Endgame filming, with the blockbuster arriving April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Welcome to HeroBlend #45! This week, Eric and Adrienne have their full spoiler reviews of Captain Marvel (after a brief non-spoiler chat) plus Eric's early reaction to Shazam! And, to get us started, we have that early reaction for you, in the form of a little mini-segment we like to call 2 Minutes with Captain Sparklefingers! Then, we'll get into the news, and we have lots of cool info to share with all of you. We'll get into topics such as the new trailers for Shazam! and the James Gunn produced, twisted Superman-like tale Brightburn. We'll also talk about the end of Arrow on the CW, what Ben Affleck was hoping to do with his Batman solo movie, some revelations about the cast of The Suicide Squad, Sean Gunn's hopes for Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3, who should direct Venom 2 and much more!

Now, we can get into the nitty gritty of this week's discussion: Captain Marvel! Eric and Adrienne were both able to screen the film early, and we'll start off with some spoiler-free reactions for those of you who haven't seen the movie yet. But...then, we'll go deep into spoiler territory and talk all about the plot, the many surprises and twists the film throws at comic fans, the dynamic between Carol and Nick Fury, the action scenes, performances, effects, what we loved, didn't like so much, the illuminating end credits scenes and, of course, our thoughts on Goose the cat! Now, sit back and relax, folks, because this is one chat you're not going to want to miss. Ready to dive in? Great! Listen for yourself above!

1:14 - Eric's Early Shazam! Reaction

4:08 - News

32:12 - Spoiler-Free Captain Marvel Discussion

35:58 - Captain Marvel Spoiler Review

Now, get in on the superhero-filled fun and have a listen to the HeroBlend Podcast #45! And, be sure to subscribe to the HeroBlend Podcast on iTunes, right here, follow us on Twitter @HeroBlend and follow our hosts @eeisenberg and @HeyAJ74.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase Three has been a massive success, as every single blockbuster has been a critical and box office hit. But there has been some controversy, namely James Gunn's departure from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Disney parted ways with Gunn over controversial tweets from a decade ago, and Guardians 3 was put on indefinite hold. But the director has already found his next project, pivoting to DC for The Suicide Squad.

James Gunn has a list of frequent collaborators, including Michael Rooker and his brother Sean Gunn. Sean Gunn plays Kraglin in the Guardians franchise, while also doing the motion capture acting for Bradley Cooper's Rocket Raccoon. So could he also have a role in The Suicide Squad? It seems he'd be down to join the developing project, recently saying:

Well, that's going to make fans of the Gunn brothers very happy. While there doesn't seem to be any concrete plans to include Sean Gunn in The Suicide Squad, the Gilmore Girls alum is down to join the project if his director brother needs him.

Sean Gunn's willingness to join The Suicide Squad is very exciting, although it seems that the villain-centric DC blockbuster is still in the early stages of development. Being related to the writer/director would presumably grant Sean with access to early information, including information regarding a possible role. News about James Gunn's involvement and new vision have only begun trickling out, so smart money says its too early to nail down something like a part for his brother.

In his same conversation with The Hollywood Reporter at the Captain Marvel premiere, Sean Gunn also explained how James Gunn puts the narrative first, so he won't be included in The Suicide Squad unless it makes sense. He said:

Sean Gunn may be a frequent collaborator with his brother James, but that doesn't mean the filmmaker will put him in a project for no reason. There has to be a character that fits and properly moves the story forward. But they've clearly got a great working relationship, as Sean Gunn has appeared in the following projects by James Gunn: The Specials, Super, The Belko Experiment, and the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies.

While it's unclear if Kraglin will appear, Sean Gunn's contributions as the on set Rocket will be seen onscreen when Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters on April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The future of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is still very much in question. While Marvel seems dedicated to making the movie happen, the film is still on hold and with no apparent movement forward with no director attached. However, at least one person seems quite focused no making sure Guardians Vol. 3 does happen. Sean Gunn, the brother of the film's previously attached director James Gunn, says that, one way or another, the movie needs to happen. According to Gunn...

While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was supposed to be the first of Marvel's Phase Four productions, hitting screens in May of 2020, all of that was thrown into chaos when James Gunn was unceremoniously removed as director of the film following the revelation of social media posts he had made years ago.

At the time, it wasn't clear if the movie would ever actually happen or if the already completed script James Gunn had written would be used. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige has since conformed that the plan is still to make the movie, and to use Gunn's script, but the project has yet to find a new director.

Sean Gunn has been an unequivocal supporter of his brother from the beginning, but he's also been a supporter of the film franchise as well. He wants to make this movie and finish the trilogy, He tells Variety that he truly believes that things will work out and the movie will get made, though he admits he has no idea exactly how that will happen.

While a social media campaign by fans and even an open letter written by the cast in support of James Gunn came in the wake of Disney's decision, the studio has not altered its stance on the situation at all. James Gunn has since moved over to the other side of the fence, writing the script for the Suicide Squad sequel with every expectation that he will direct it as well.

Certainly, many fans likely want to be as optimistic about the future of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise as Sean Gunn is. While the movie will clearly be something a little different without James Gunn in the director's chair, the fact that it will at least tell the story he wrote may be enough. Of course, the movie has to actually get made first, and we're still waiting for movement in that regard.

There are just two movies left in Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Following the unexpected ending of Avengers: Infinity War, it was clear that the Russo Brothers weren't fooling around, and are willing to kill off any and all characters to service the greater story. Thanos' victory in accruing the Infinity Stones wiped out half the galaxy, with both the surviving heroes and the audience left to watch in horror as countless characters faded to dust.

The Guardians of the Galaxy were hit especially hard from Thanos' assault, with Gamora being killed so her adopted father could get the Soul Stone, and everyone but Rocket wiped out from Thanos' snap (aka The Decimation). Sean Gunn plays Rocket via motion capture on set, and recently teased a major role for the foul mouthed Guardian in Avengers: Endgame, saying:

Bring on the crossovers. Prior to Infinity War, the Guardians of the Galaxy were kept largely separate from the rest of the MCU, due to their cosmic setting and place in the overall timeline of the shared universe. But Rocket is here in the present, and will be among the rest of the survivors once Endgame finally arrives in theaters next month.

Rocket and Groot spent much of Infinity War alongside Chris Hemsworth's Thor, as he went on a journey to get Stormbreaker. It was a great character pairing, and he and Thor will likely continue vibing during Endgame. The trio ultimately made it to the Battle of Wakanda in the nick of time, and took out Thanos' forces in quick succession. But it wasn't enough to stop the snap, and Rocket watched Groot turn to dust before his eyes. And this time, his best friend didn't come back to life.

Rocket was seen among the rest of the survivors in the Avengers: Endgame trailer, although his role and the entire movie's story are a complete mystery to the general public. But Sean Gunn's comments to IGN are sure to excite the fandom, who are hoping that the character shared by Gunn and Bradley Cooper will have plenty of screen time in the upcoming blockbuster. The surviving heroes are going to have to lean on each other if they hope to reverse Thanos' snap, and will need help in the form of Captain Marvel, Ant-Man, and Ronin.

It should be interesting to see who Rocket ends up interacting with in Endgame, especially given the character's signature attitude. He seems like the perfect foil for uptight Avengers like Captain America and Bruce Banner, as well as egos like Iron Man and Captain Marvel. Smart money says he ends up providing some much needed comedic relief to an otherwise somber movie.

Answers will come when Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters on April 26th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in a state of flux, given the events of Avengers: Infinity War and the forthcoming Avengers 4 movie. The Russo Brothers shocked audiences by having Josh Brolin's Thanos win, and destroy half the galaxy with a snap of his finger. Tons of fan favorite characters faded to dust before our eyes, although there are plenty who are still unaccounted for in the wake of the snap. This includes Guardians of the Galaxy tertiary character Kraglin, played by Sean Gunn. Gunn also stands in for Rocket during filming, and seems to have revealed if Kraglin survived the snap, saying:

Well, this is exciting. While not an official confirmation, Sean Gunn seems to indicate that we'll see his Marvel character in the flesh when Avengers 4 arrives in theaters. Considering how many heroes bit the dust during Infinity War's conclusion, the surviving characters are going to need all the help they can get to face off against Thanos, and possibly revive the characters who fell during the horrifying final scene.

Sean Gunn's comments to Tulsa World carry a particular weight, considering how unsure things are within the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. When James Gunn was fired in July for decade-old offensive Tweets, it put the Guardians in jeopardy. While they're set to appear in Avengers 4, it's unclear if/when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will pick up speed, now that its lost its visionary director/writer. It also seems possible that the House of Mouse could abandon the franchise altogether. And since no one knows what's happening with Guardians 3, Sean Gun's comments must allude to Kraglin's appearance in next Avengers movie.

Now the question is: how could Kraglin enter the narrative of Avengers 4? The upcoming movie has been teased to feature a time jump, so perhaps Kraglin's character is associated with Rocket. Bradley Cooper's gun toting rodent was the only Guardian to survive the finger snap (although Nebula also lived over on Titan). Maybe Rocket hit up Kraglin for help. After all, he's got Yondu's awesome arrow. Let's just hope he's gotten better at controlling it since his Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 credits scene.

Sean Gunn has an interesting perspective on the MCU, as he's got an onscreen role as Kraglin, and offscreen role filming for Rocket, and is also brothers with James Gunn.

Avengers 4 will arrive in theaters to answer our questions on May 3rd, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has been placed on hold following the removal of its director, but his brother has spoken out on the state of the project. The man who plays Yondu's second in command Kraglin, as well as being the onset stand it for Rocket, says that, while there's a lot he doesn't know, he does know Marvel is committed to getting Guardians 3 made. And more importantly, Gunn says Disney fully expects to use the script completed by James Gunn before his removal from the project. According to the actor...

Last July James Gunn was fired by Marvel Studios following the resurfacing of old social media posts in which he made jokes about the sorts of topics that one really should not joke about. While petitions were signed and many hoped that Disney would reconsider the decision, it appears definitive now that Gunn will not be back. However, one of the questions left outstanding was whether or not the company's separation from Gunn meant Marvel would not even use the script for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 that Gunn had already written. Now, at least according to the writer/director's brother's comments to Tulsa World, it seems that Disney will be using the script, which means now they just need to find a director willing to direct that script, rather than finding one willing to write a new one.

Of course, that in itself will create its own set of potential problems. Having a new director step in to helm a property that was so clearly the emotional and creative work of one man can be a daunting task. Sean Gunn realizes that finding a director will be difficult, though he also points out that now that the movie has been officially delayed, the entire cast is now off doing other things and getting everybody's schedules free to make the sequel will be a task unto itself.

Sean Gunn says the word from Marvel that the movie will be made was recent, so it appears that the current expectation is that this film will happen, even if nobody knows quite when. Originally, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. was expected to be the next movie following Spider-Man: Far From Home in early 2020. Whether it will still be the next film, and we'll just get a longer gap between movies or if something else will end up going into production first, remains to be seen.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in an interesting place at the moment. The shared universe has been on a serious hot streak with Phase Three, and the events of Avengers: Infinity War changed the MCU forever. But there's also some chaos within Marvel Studios, as Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn was recently fired from both the franchise and Disney as a whole. When shocking tweets from years ago resurfaced, Disney promptly took the Guardians head honcho from his position in the studio. The cast has since written a letter in solidarity, and Guardians actor and James Gunn's brother Sean Gunn recently spoke up about this decision, saying:

Looks like Sean Gunn is steadfast in his belief that his brother and frequent collaborator shouldn't have been fired from the franchise he helped bring to the mainstream. And while Disney likely won't reverse its decision, Gunn is hoping that fan outcry might help to grease the wheels.

Sean Gunn's comments to TMZ highlights how high stakes James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy firing continues to be, especially for those most involved in the films. The majority of what makes the franchise one of the fan favorites in the MCU is Gunn's particular sense of humor and outlook on life. With James now ousted from the property before he could properly finish the trilogy, it's unclear exactly what's going to happen with the motley crew of characters after Phase Three concludes with Avengers 4.

Before James Gunn's unexpected departure, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was one of the only confirmed blockbusters for the MCU in Phase Four. Gunn recently finished a version of the script, which would finish the three-film narrative of characters like Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, and the rest. The Guardians without their director/writer seems unnatural, and it's unclear if anyone could possibly replace Gunn to complete the trilogy. Some fans have suggested Thor: Ragnarok's Taika Waititi, although the director and studio have both been silent on the issues.

Ultimately it's unclear if James Gunn has any chance of returning to his iconic franchise, or if Marvel might give up on the property altogether after losing its director. We'll just have to wait and see.

The next installment in the MCU is Captain Marvel on March 8, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Marvel fans have been waiting since the James Gunn news was first announced to find out how his brother Sean Gunn feels about the whole thing. Today, the longtime brother, friend and co-star took to social media to update fans on where he's at. What came out was a long and poignant statement about growing up, changing and finding redemption. You can see his quote in its entirety below...

Fans have also been waiting to hear from Michael Rooker. The actor has made numerous movies with Gunn, and many expected him to be first out of the gate with a statement. That hasn't happened, but the official Twitter managed on his behalf did release something earlier today. You can check that out below...

That is basically what we expected to hear. There's no doubt that Michael Rooker and James Gunn have been in contact with each other following the shocking dismissal from Disney and the Guardians of the Galaxy series. But it's also heartwarming to see James' brother take to social media, officially, and defend his brother against what seems to be a complicated firing between a filmmaker and a studio who had worked well together before, for years.

The question still remains -- will Sean Gunn return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe now that his brother no longer is involved. We don't know that the MCU needs Kraglin, the human character played by Sean Gunn. But it definitely needs Rocket Raccoon, and while Bradley Cooper lends his voice to the angry animal, the character's motion capture belongs to Gunn, and I'm not sure he's going to want to keep contributing to a franchise that just fired his brother.

At the moment, Sean Gunn's character, Rocket, survived the Thanos snap, so he's definitely expected to be back for Avengers 4. But he likely filmed all of the footage that Marvel Studios needs for them to complete Avengers 4, so it becomes a bigger question of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. As of right now, that sequel is due in theaters in 2020, but outside of that, there are a lot of questions that need answers about the future of this franchise, so stay tuned.

With the upcoming debut of Avengers: Infinity War, audiences will get to see their heroes meet and intermingle for the first time. One of the most exciting elements of the equation is the injection of the Guardians of the Galaxy team into the ensemble, as the colorful personalities will undoubtedly create a bizarre mixture with people like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. That said, it sounds like Rocket Raccoon won't be particularly enthused to meet Earth's mightiest heroes when the whole thing goes down. Rocket mo-cap actor Sean Gunn opened up during an appearance at MCM Comic Con in England and explained:

Of all the heroes who work on Star-Lord's team, Rocket tends to be the one who causes the most trouble. He doesn't have many sincere bones in his body, and it's hard to imagine him showing much "reverence" for any of the heroes that he will meet when Avengers: Infinity War debuts. He's as cynical as ever, and it looks like we shouldn't expect that to change very much during the initial introductions.

Sean Gunn's remarks to Screen Geek at MCM Comic Con seem particularly interesting when we consider who Rocket will find himself paired up with during Avengers: Infinity War. We don't have too much information to work with as far as the character's full arc in the movie is concerned, but the most recent trailer for Infinity War seems to promise that Teen Groot and Rocket will spend quite a bit of time with Thor in their quest to join up with the others and prevent Thanos from getting his hands on the Infinity Stones. Considering Rocket's apathy towards the heroes around him, it leads us to wonder if we will see a continuation of the humor streak seen in Thor: Ragnarok, particularly as it relates to other characters not caring about The God of Thunder's god status.

Rocket's disinterest in some of Earth's mightiest heroes may also stem from the fact that he has seen some reasonably outlandish stuff during his time as an adventurer in the cosmos. Between the battle against Ronan the Accuser and watching Peter Quill actually hold an Infinity Stone in Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as the body count that the late Yondu was able to rack up in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, it stands to reason that the typically-jaded trash panda might not consider some members of The Avengers team all that impressive. In fact, the technology used by heroes like T'Challa or Tony Stark might seem downright primitive compared to the stuff that he uses.

Audiences will finally get to see Rocket Raccoon interact with the other members of The Avengers roster when Avengers: Infinity War debuts in theaters next month on April 27.

Bradley Cooper is the actor most associated with Guardians of the Galaxy's Rocket, by virtue of the fact that he provides the character's voice. However, it's another actor who actually does a lot of the work to bring Rocket to life. Sean Gunn, the brother of Guardians director James Gunn, and the man who plays the role of Kraglin, plays Rocket on the set in a green screen body suit while in a permanent crouch. Considering what Gunn puts his body through, he'd be forgiven for being a little put out that he doesn't get a lot of the credit, but the actor says he doesn't do it for the credit. According to Sean Gunn...

Sean Gunn may not mind that he doesn't get the recognition, but the fact is that he should get a lot of it. Voice acting is a much harder job than many people give it credit for, so Bradley Cooper shouldn't be overlooked, but the two are, at the very least, equal partners in bringing Rocket to life on screen. Sean Gunn doesn't simply give Rocket a place for the CGI effects people to focus, but he also aides the other actors on the set by giving them somebody to actually act with, rather than having to emote toward empty air or a tennis ball on a stick.

Sean Gunn had portrayed Rocket in both Guardians of the Galaxy movies but Entertainment Weekly reports that he did not assume he would have the same role in Avengers: Infinity War, as it was being directed by Joe and Anthony Russo rather than his own brother. The Russos apparently didn't hesitate to put Gunn out there with the other actors, which likely helped everybody who had to interact with Rocket on screen.

We'll see Rocket along with the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy when they unite with the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Avengers: Infinity War when it hits theaters in just a few weeks. While you watch it, try to remember that behind that CGI "not a raccoon" there's a guy in green spandex doing his best to make the character come to life. He may not do it for the credit, but he still deserves it.