Galaxy director: I had more fun than stress

Galaxy director: I had more fun than stress

James Gunn is probably having sleepless nights.

His film, Guardians Of The Galaxy, is set to open tomorrow. Will the sci-fi adventure about a group of misfits spawn a spanking new franchise for Marvel?

"Am I worried? Of course I am," Gunn told M when he was in town earlier this month.

"I hope the movie does well. We're trying to build a franchise. The first movie is about creating a group that people want to come back and see."

"I guess there's pressure but the excitement and fun I had doing (the movie) outweigh the pressure I put on myself," he added. The 43-year-old US director first made his name as the screenwriter of Scooby-Doo (2002).

His directorial debut, the sci-fi horror Slither (2006), was followed by the acclaimed Super (2010). Guardians is only Gunn's third feature-length film.

On the importance of finding the perfect person to play Peter Quill

We searched very hard for Peter Quill since he's the key to the whole film. We saw so many people, from A-listers to unknowns.

We wanted to bring to the movie what Robert Downey Jr brought to Iron Man. Robert was able to create this character that worked really well within the story but there was also something more. He made it better than what it was on the page.

So that set the bar for us. We also knew that we needed someone who can hold his own against Robert, and probably kick his butt - if the two ever meet.

On his first words to Chris Pratt when the comedian was hired to be Star-Lord

Lose the weight! Chris was chubby. We were very clear at the start that he had to shed some pounds. He knew that too.

Chris has everything you'd want in a leading man. He's a big masculine dude who's really funny. He's a fantastic dramatic actor who also has this vulnerability that very few actors have.

On Vin Diesel being Groot

It wasn't easy money for Vin even if he just had three words to say. Actually, he wasn't paid much in the first place.

He really wanted to be Groot. Nobody worked harder than Vin, who could (say) "I am Groot" a thousand times and he'd keep going and going. He also had to do the three words in other languages too. He probably dreamt of "I am Groot" every night.

On Guardians in an Avengers movie

I think all of them can live in the same universe. Obviously Rocket and Groot will be odd, which they already are. Drax would love to join The Avengers, though he'll get his ass kicked by the Hulk.

joannes@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on July 30, 2014.
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