Whosoever would have guessed it that Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, a former wrestler, a talking raccoon and a walking tree with a monologue, “I am Groot” would smash all box office records with a surprise hit, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). Directed by James Gunn the comic-adapted tent-pole from Marvel Comics grossed over $774 million over-taking even Marvel’s Avenger, Captain America – The Winter Soldier in 2014.
Inevitably cashing in on the franchise, Marvel Television and Marvel Animation have come about producing an animated television series that will air on Disney XD. Premiering on 26th September at 9 pm with a one-hour episode, ‘Road to Nowhere’ the animated series is based on the same Marvel Comics team. Speaking about the plot of the series, the show’s co-executive producer, Eric Radomski commented that, “Like the other Marvel animated shows, they (Guardians of the Galaxy) take their cues from the movie. But unlike the relationship between, say, the “Avengers” movies and the live-action “Agents of SHIELD,” the show doesn’t really have an overall theme to tie in with the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the upcoming “Guardians” sequel “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”
Here’s a sneak-peak into Marvel’s latest animated property, Guardians of the Galaxy which promises a similar comic tone to the characters as last seen in the movie.
Although the animated series picks up from where the 2014 block-buster left off with Thanos as the main super-villain, the star-cast of the live-action movie wouldn’t be voicing their animated counterparts. Instead the show has Will Freidle voicing Peter Quill/Star Lord, Trevor Devall as Rocket Raccoon, Vanessa Marshall as the emerald-skinned Gamora, David Sobolov as Drax and Kevin Michael Richardson recording, “I am Groot” in innumerous tones for Groot.
Voicing the animated Starlord in the animated TV series, Will Freidle added that, “He (Chris Pratt) was so incredible in the film. The last thing I wanted to do was come in and do a bad Chris Pratt impersonation. He’s got this great balance of vulnerable and snarky, very funny and genuine. But then I had to put my own twist on it.”
While Marvel’s Avengers may be creating an enormous buzz, the parallel Galactic Superhero team, Guardians of the Galaxy too is sprawling an equally matched fan-following. “In the film, you get to see a couple of hours with these guys. With us, right out of the gate, you get 13 hours with these characters. We can expand the personalities, and you’ll get to know them better and see the real relationships that have evolved.” adds Radomski.