What a difference a year makes. In 2013, many thought that Marvel’s attempts to fashion a film around the Guardians Of The Galaxy was a gamble. Now, with a huge hit behind them, Star-Lord, Groot, Gamora, Rocket and Drax are spreading their empire into other arenas, and Marvel announced a spin-off TV series at this weekend’s New York Comic-Con.
Not much is known about the animated series, other than the fact that it will chart the adventures of Star-Lord and the rest on a weekly basis as part Disney XD’s Marvel Universe block of programming starting next year. The NYCC panel included some first-look teaser footage, but little else.
Given their busy work schedules, it’s doubtful that the film’s cast – Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper – will be lending their voices (the Star-Lord in the footage certainly isn’t Pratt), but stranger things have happened…
"This is a very exciting time for the Marvel Animation Studio as we get to explore the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe by developing the first-ever Marvel's** Guardians Of The Galaxy** animated series," said Jeph Loeb, Marvel TV boss. "After starring in the biggest movie of 2014, everyone wants more of Star-Lord and his crew – now they'll get it." And the film crew will, of course, be back for the sequel in 2017.
For those who want more from Gamora, there was good news at the event, with Guardians**’ original screenwriter Nicole Perlman announcing that she’s writing a comic book series focused on the female warrior for launch next year. Other new comic book assignments naturally tie-in the company’s ever-expanding universe with Peggy Carter and new Ant-Ma****n books planned.