Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe keeps chugging along, with James Gunn recently wrapping principal photography on next summer’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. As filming reached its conclusion a few weeks back, the director announced that the film would be a part of Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con presentation, joining this fall’s Doctor Strange as projects that will have a panel in the famed Hall H. Joining Gunn will be members of the movie’s cast, including Chris Pratt.
One of the things SDCC is known for is showcasing exclusive footage and teasers for the highly-anticipated projects that come to the event. Since Guardians 2 is done shooting, Gunn obviously has more than enough material available to cut together some sort of sizzle reel for convention attendees to see. And going by his latest comments, that’s exactly what’ll happen later this month when SDCC is in full force.
Taking to Twitter, Gunn was asked when fans may see a preview for the latest adventure with Star-Lord and friends. His answer is sure to please those planning on being in Hall H:
You might get something if you go to our presentation at San Diego Comic Con… other than that, it’ll be a while. https://t.co/w9sYY9QyYz— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 4, 2016
Given that Vol. 2 will not reach theaters until May 2017, this was to be expected. Marvel still has to put together the marketing campaign for Doctor Strange, raising awareness for the Sorcerer Supreme’s big screen debut. Based on the response to the first Guardians (both critically and commercially), it is all but guaranteed to be another monster hit. Strange represents something of an unknown quantity, and is the bigger priority for the studio at this point in time. Marvel has had a lot of success in the past turning “second tier” characters into international movie stars, and that’s in large part due to their advertising efforts. That should continue this time around.
As for when the general public could expect to see some Guardians 2 footage, a teaser will most likely be unveiled towards the end of the year. The premiere of Doctor Strange this November would be a good film to attach one to, as would fellow Disney tentpole Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in December. Many studios typically begin advertising their upcoming summer slate during the holiday season, so this would just be par for the course. Five or six months is plenty of time to start up the hype train for Vol. 2, getting viewers excited for another journey through Marvel’s cosmos.
In the meantime, knowing that footage will be screened soon is a thrilling proposition. Even if moviegoers can’t get into Hall H, they’ll still be able to read reactions to what was shown, getting a better idea of how the followup will compare to the record-breaking original. After the first Guardians far exceeded expectations, hopes are high that the sequel can at the very least live up to what came before. It may not have that lightning-in-a-bottle feeling, but there’s no reason why Vol. 2 can’t entertain and resonate with viewers across the globe.
Doctor Strange opens in U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016, followed by Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man: Homecoming – July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp– July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel– March 8, 2019; Avengers: Infinity War Part 2– May 3, 2019; and as-yet untitled Marvel movies on July 12, 2019, and on May 1, July 10, and November 6 in 2020.
