The Guardians of the Galaxy are coming on August 1, but who the heck are the Guardians of the Galaxy? You know, sometimes we get so wrapped up in our geeky internet bubbles, we forget that not everybody has the same points of reference when they enter the movie theater. Many of us already knew the identity of The Winter Soldier before the Captain America sequel came out, but if your theater was anything like the ones we went to, there were still a few audible gasps when his mask came off, emanating from audience members who had no idea what to expect.
Related: Watch the Extended ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Trailer
We’re not about to give away any of the secrets of Guardians of the Galaxy, the latest film from Marvel Studios, but we do want to give folks who aren’t familiar with these comics a bit of a primer, since the odds are good that at least some of them don’t know who the heck these guys are. And unlike Marvel’s previous team-up movie, none of this eclectic cast of characters were introduced in earlier movies. Some people still wonder what the heck a raccoon is doing in a superhero movie, and voiced by Bradley Cooper of all people.
So here they are, your Guardians of the Galaxy. No spoilers, just enough information to come into the film ready to have fun, and to avoid being overwhelmed by the sheer newness of this potential franchise. As the Guardians would say: you’re welcome.
Slideshow: Get to Know Your Guardians of the Galaxy
Get to Know Your Guardians of the Galaxy
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Peter 'Star-Lord' Quill
Played by: Chris Pratt (The LEGO Movie)
Peter Quill is a jerk who becomes a hero. Created by Steve Englehart in 1976, the human who calls himself Star-Lord became an intergalactic cop who would eventually guard the galaxy with his ragtag team of misfits. In the Guardians of the Galaxy movie he's starting off as that jerk, but over the course of the film finds himself on the side of more-or-less good.
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Gamora
Played by: Zoe Saldana (Avatar)
The orphan named Gamora was raised by Thanos himself to become "the most dangerous woman in the universe." An extremely skilled martial artist, she also starts doing the right thing when circumstances dictate. In the comics she would go on to protect one of the "Infinity Gems" (called "Infinity Stones" in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) before joining The Guardians of the Galaxy.
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Drax the Destroyer
Played by: Dave Bautista (The Man with the Iron Fists)
In the comic books, Drax the Destroyer was superpowered being with the mind of a human being. In the movie he's an alien, but in both versions he's on a single-minded mission of vengeance against the villains responsible for killing his family.
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Rocket Raccoon
Voiced by: Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook)
Rocket is a humanoid raccoon with extraordinary intelligence and a pretty bad attitude. Being genetically mutated against your will can do that to you. His diminutive size and adorable appearance bely his dangerous set of skills.
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Groot
Voiced by: Vin Diesel (Fast Five)
The alien tree known only as Groot was originally created as a villain in the Marvel comic books, but gained more popularity as a zen-like companion for Rocket Raccoon and a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Groot's abilities are many, but tree-related: he can grow in size, grow plants off of his body and more. The only words he can actually say are "I am Groot," but certain members of the team eventually learn to interpret his actual, frequently more complicated meanings.
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Korath the Pursuer
Played by: Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond)
A member of the Kree race originally created to be a supervillain biogenetics expert, Korath the Pursuer has been repurposed in Guardians of the Galaxy as a minion of Ronan the Accuser, the film's primary villain.
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Ronan the Accuser
Played by: Lee Pace (Lincoln)
Ronan is a member of the Accuser Corps, a militaristic government body of the Kree Empire. His hardline politics have frequently brought him in conflict with his own people, making him an ambitious villain. Also a powerful one: in addition to his super-strength, he possesses "The Universal Weapon" which takes the form of a giant hammer with many destructive capabilities.
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Nebula
Played by: Karen Gillan ("Doctor Who")
In the comics, Nebula is an infamous space pirates who claims to be the granddaughter of Thanos. In the movie she's his daughter, and works to bring about his schemes of universal domination. Nebula is a skillful physical combatant and also a cyborg, which grants her several other dangerous abilities as well.
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The Collector
Played by: Benicio del Toro (Traffic)
In the comics, Taneleer Tivan is an "Elder of the Universe," a member of one of the oldest races who serves a valuable function in keeping the universe running smoothly. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he's a collector of rare antiquities who was bestowed one of the Infinity Stones at the end of Thor: The Dark World and who will use his vast knowledge to aid the Guardians of the Galaxy during their own adventure.
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Yondu
Played by: Michael Rooker ("The Walking Dead")
A member of the original Guardians of the Galaxy in the comic books, Yondu was a hunter in the 30th Century who wielded an arrow made of "Yaka" which would change direction as he made different sounds with his body. In the film, he's the leader of an outlaw faction called "The Ravagers" who have worked with Peter Quill for years, but whose loyalties are constantly in flux.
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Rhomann Dey
Played by: John C. Reilly (Wreck-It Ralph)
In the comics, Rhomann Dey is a member of the Nova Corps, an intergalactic peacekeeping force from the planet Xandar. When the Nova Corps was destroyed by an evil warlord, he escaped to Earth and bestowed his title and powers onto Richard Rider, a human who became the hero Nova. So keep an eye on him, since Marvel Studios might have bigger plans for Rhomann Dey in the future.
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Nova Prime
Played by: Glenn Close ("Damages")
Nova Prime is the titled bestowed to the leader of the Nova Corps, which protect the planet Xandar, which is one of the most significant planets involved in the plot of Guardians of the Galaxy.
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Thanos
Voiced by: Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men)
The silent, shadowy antagonist of The Avengers returns in Guardians of the Galaxy, and will finally speak his mind. Thanos is an intergalactic conqueror who courts Death (literally, since in the Marvel Comics she's an actual person) and seeks to acquire all six "Infinity Stones" which would bestow him the powers of a god. We'll be seeing a LOT more of him as these movies continue, so pay attention.
