GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2: Who is Ego, Star-Lord's Father?


Last month during San Diego Comic-Con, writer and director James Gunn announced which Marvel character will be Star-Lord’s father in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2. Actor Kurt Russell will make his entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) by playing Star-Lord’s father: Ego, the Living Planet.


Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created Ego, the Living Planet. His first (cameo) appearance was in Thor No. 132 in September 1966, followed by his first full appearance in No. 133 a month later. It was around this time that Marvel started to really establish their cosmic universe with Galactus and the Kree Empire, who were also created around this time period. Ego was created in the Black Galaxy and he grew different, as compared to other matter in the galaxy. His mass soon grew to the size of a planet and became highly intelligent as well as gaining abilities. 


In order to survive, Ego must absorb other planets. This led to Ego’s first encounter with Thor, due to colonizers fearing The Living Planet as a threat. However, when Thor encounters Ego, and defeats him, Ego agrees to stay within his galaxy. Ego’s second encounter with Thor was when Galactus tried to devour The Living Planet. However, with the help of Thor, Ego was able to drive Galactus off.


Ego is very emotional and intelligent. He has an engine attached to him that allows him to travel through space at a speed faster than light. He has complete control over his mass but he prefers to keep his image as a gigantic face in order to appear superior. He can change the terrain of his planet. He can also use his ability to shape shift to lure organisms to him for consumption. He does this by making his terrain look like paradise. Ego has been known to able to project powerful blast and has telepathic skills like mind-reading. He has an internal organ system within the planet which includes tunnels as arteries, a brain organ and more. To add to that, he can create humanoid beings to defend himself from intruders on his planet just like organisms on Earth create antibodies to defend against bacteria in the bloodstream.

Although Ego has had many run-ins with the Marvel universe, including Beta Ray Bill, the Fantastic Four, X-Men and the Nova Corps, the Living Planet has not had much interaction with the Guardians of the Galaxy. The only interaction he had with a team member was when Rocket Raccoon was briefly hired to exterminate insect creatures that had infested his planet. Seeing the Guardians of the Galaxy and the living planet together will be new territory and it will be interesting to watch how the team reacts to a god-like figure on the big screen.

Yet, Ego in the movie will differ from the comics. For example, it is assumed Ego will stay in human form rather than appearing as a planet. Either way, Ego will be a compelling and bold addition to the MCU in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2.

Written by James Philbrick, Character Profiles -- Click to read James' posts


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