Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team Guardians of the Galaxy. It was released on April 10, 2017 (Tokyo), and in May 5, 2017 (United States), produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and the 15th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Written and directed by James Gunn, the film stars an ensemble cast featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell. In the film, the Guardians travel throughout the cosmos as they help Peter Quill learn more about his mysterious parentage.
The film was officially announced at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International before the theatrical release of the first film, along with James Gunn‘s return from the first film, with the title of the sequel revealed a year later in June 2015. Principal photography began in February 2016 at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayette County, Georgia, with many crew changes from the first film due to other commitments. Filming concluded in June 2016. James Gunn chose to set the sequel shortly after the first film to explore the characters’ new roles as the Guardians, and to follow the storyline of Quill‘s father established throughout that previous film. Russell was confirmed as Quill‘s father in July 2016, portraying Ego, a departure from Quill‘s comic father.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 grossed more than $863 million worldwide, making it the eighth highest grossing film of 2017, while also outgrossing its predecessor. The film received praise for its visuals, direction, soundtrack, humor, and performances, though some critics deemed it inferior to the original. It received a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 90th Academy Awards. A sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, will be released on May 5, 2023, preceded by the Disney+ special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in November 2022.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album for the Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Featuring the songs present on Peter Quill’s mixtape in the film, the album was released by Hollywood Records on April 21, 2017. A separate film score album, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Original Score), composed by Tyler Bates, was also released by Hollywood Records on the same date. Awesome Mix Vol. 2 was the United States’ eighth best-selling album of 2017 with 600,000 copies.
Tracklist:
- Mr. Blue Sky (Electric Light Orchestra)
- Fox on the Run (Sweet)
- Lake Shore Drive (Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah)
- The Chain (Fleetwood Mac)
- Bring It On Home to Me (Sam Cooke)
- Southern Nights (Glen Campbell)
- My Sweet Lord (George Harrison)
- Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) (Looking Glass)
- Come a Little Bit Closer (Jay and the Americans)
- Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang (Silver)
- Surrender (Cheap Trick)
- Father and Son (Cat Stevens)
- Flash Light (Parliament)
- Guardians Inferno (The Sneepers featuring David Hasselhoff)
