“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” Press Conference Highlights

Hi everyone!

I was invited to the virtual press conference for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”, which was moderated by Nathan Fillion (Master Orgosentry Karja). The participants were Chris Pratt (Peter Quill/Star-Lord); Pom Klementieff (Mantis); Karen Gillan (Nebula); Sean Gunn (Kraglin); Will Poulter (Adam Warlock); Chukwudi Iwuji (The High Evolutionary); Maria Bakalova (Cosmo); writer/director James Gunn and Executive Producer Kevin Feige.

This was a long press conference of about one hour. I’m just hitting on some of the highlights, there was so much talked about and some fun exchanges.

Fillion directed his first question to James Gunn, about whether there was any way that Gunn could have dreamed how “Guardians of the Galaxy” would turn out when he was hired on 12 years ago.

Gunn answered, “I felt really good about it from the beginning. I felt like we were doing something different. I felt like the world kind of needed a space fantasy that was different from ones we had seen before. So, I was very pleasantly surprise when my greatest hopes did come true.”

The cast has become very close to each other through the years. Gunn says, “I really love them. And it makes making movies a much more pleasant experience.” Gunn continued that his main memories aren’t going to be the premieres or press junkets. “It’s being on set and having the little moments. It’s doing bits with Chris in between sets. It’s talking to Sean. Watching Chuk turn in an amazing performance. Goofing around with Pom, wondering what the hell she’s talking about.”

The saddest part for Gunn is that he’ll miss the characters. “That’s the saddest part for me, is I really, truly love these characters. I love all of them. I think there’s certain ones that I have a special fondness for, especially Rocket. And yeah, the saddest part of all of this. I’m gonna see all these people again. They’re all friends of mine.”

Fillion asked Pratt if he’d do three more movies with Gunn (if given the chance).  Pratt answered, “First of all, I’d jump at the opportunity. Making movies is really fun. When you get to do it with people that you love, it’s even more fun.” He continued, “With James, it’s been both the journey and the destination have been glorious. The films are incredible. I don’t know how he does it.” Pratt also elaborated that he’d work with any of the actors again as well.

Feige talked about how they’ve had trilogies before, but this one is different. “…it’s because Guardians really was the first movie that was completely outside of the realm. It tied in with Thanos and Infinity Stones. But The Avengers were not in it. And we weren’t setting up Tony Stark’s next adventure, or Captain America. And it was really our attempt of saying, we don’t wanna just do superhero movies.” He said they wanted to make a big space movie, and “It worked entirely because of James Gunn.” Feige said that the trilogy was something unique within the MCU.

Fillion asked Klementieff what Mantis brought to her life. She said it wasn’t just Mantis. “I mean, for me, it’s not Mantis. It’s like, Mantis and James Gunn. James changed my life. And get to play Mantis, I got, I mean, you know, she’s an empath, you know? So, you have to have a deeper connection with everything and everyone. So, it’s, like, beautiful to tap in and create deep, profound, and layered emotions” She also found it fun to be “super weird”.

Sean Gunn answered the question about whether Kraglin and Cosmo were friends. “They’re frenemies”, to laughter. “Kraglin’s kind of leading Cosmo a little bit, leading her along a little bit. But in a way you can only do to friends.”

Fillion asked James Gunn about the music in the film. “Do you feel a sense of responsibility? Who am I going to make rich again off these royalties?”

Gunn answered that it was strange, because the first two albums have been huge hits. “They changed the lives of some of these artists who now have big hit songs. And so, I know that when I’m choosing a song, it’s going to be something that a lot of people listen to.” Gunn says he writes the music in along with the script, but does change it sometimes. Gunn had a list of like 100 songs that would be “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” type songs. And not everything can be used. “Like, Cruel to Be Kind by Nick Lowe has been on every list that I’ve had….And I’ve just never found a place to work it in.”

Fillion asked Pratt what it was like driving in for the last day on set. “Did they want you to say a speech? Did they want you to say something?”

Pratt answered, “I don’t know if they wanted me to but they weren’t going to stop me. I guess, you know, the thing that you want to avoid is regret.” He continued, “One day, looking back and thinking why did I just let that go by without trying to enjoy every moment? Why didn’t I savor that? And I knew that going into it. So, I’ll never have that thought in my head that man, I just wasn’t present to it. I was present. And it still felt like a whirlwind.”

The press conference emphasized how close the cast is to each other and how much affection they have for James Gunn.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” releases in theaters today, May 5th, 2023.