Road to Infinity War: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 Retrospective


Welcome to the Road to AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR. This is my own little retrospective of each of Marvel Studios' films every week of 2018 and by the time I am done looking back at all of the MCU movies, Infinity War will be releasing in theaters in the U.S. on May 4 worldwide on April 27. 

I've already talked about IRON MAN, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, IRON MAN 2, THOR, CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, and THE AVENGERS to conclude Phase 1.

I have also completed Phase 2 with IRON MAN 3, THOR: THE DARK WORLD, CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, and ANT-MAN.

Now, I'm on to Phase 3 with CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR and DOCTOR STRANGE in the rearview mirror. Up next is GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 ...

Before the first GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY movie released in theaters, in August 2014, its sequel was officially announced during Marvel Studios' big Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con International at the end of July 2014. That's how confident the studio was for what was once viewed as their riskiest tentpole franchise attempt.

With writer and director James Gunn on board for Volume 2, story development began shortly after the release of the original film after Gunn had a few weeks off to catch his breath after making the first film. Gunn also began teasing how the team roster would grow in the sequel.

Initially, Gunn wanted to include both Mantis and Adam Warlock, in Volume 2, but he dropped the latter due to the story becoming too busy by introducing two new characters, as well as the addition of Ego and the Sovereign being introduced, too. But this did not stop Gunn for teasing Adam Warlock in one of the end credits scenes.

The biggest inclusion in the sequel was the re-introduction of Groot in toddler form. Once the first look at the little guy hit the Internet fans lost their damn minds at how adorable he was. Another big reveal in this sequel was that it address Peter Quill's father as well as this sequel would take place shortly after the events of its predecessor.


GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 opened on May 5, 2017 with $146 million, domestically. At the time, this was the studios' fifth biggest opening behind THE AVENGERS ($207M), AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON ($191M), CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR ($179M), and IRON MAN 3 ($174M).

The sequel took in a total of $389 million at the domestic box office, improving on $333 million the original movie made. A rare feat for a sequel in Hollywood with the exception for what pretty much seems like every one of Marvel Studios' sequels.

Internationally, the sequel made $473 million.

Globally, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 made $863 million which was again an improvement over its predecessor's $773 million worldwide.

The increase in grosses was more than enough for Marvel Studios to green light GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, as well as bring writer and director James Gunn back to close out his trilogy story featuring this iteration of the team's roster.

Written by Daniel Wolf, Founder & Publisher


Previous Road to Infinity War Posts:
Road to Infinity War: DOCTOR STRANGE Retrospective


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