Super Rant Rewatch: 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy Was A Major Turning Point for the MCU

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe is full of memorable moments, but the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie was especially important.

As a huge Marvel fan, I remember when Guardians of the Galaxy came out in 2014 – it felt like a real risk for the studio. Most people just weren’t familiar with these characters before then! A talking tree and a raccoon with a gun? It sounded wild! Looking back, it’s amazing how James Gunn’s first Marvel movie didn’t just launch these underdogs into stars, but actually changed the direction of the whole MCU. It really opened things up!

The movie was a huge hit, performing better than expected and launching a new series of films for Marvel Studios. But the original Guardians of the Galaxy stands out because it really broadened the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a way that surprised viewers. As part of our Super Rant Rewatch leading up to Avengers: Doomsday, here are my main takeaways from the 2014 film, Guardians of the Galaxy.

Guardians of the Galaxy Was One Of The MCU’s First Major Risks

Looking back after twelve years, it’s easy to forget that the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie was a significant gamble when it was released.

Prior to 2014, Marvel Cinematic Universe movies mainly focused on well-known heroes like Iron Man and Captain America. Even when the universe introduced more fantastical characters like Thor, his stories usually took place on Earth or in Asgard. That all shifted with James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014.

When the Guardians of the Galaxy first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they were largely obscure characters from the comics. James Gunn’s fresh take on the team proved incredibly popular, and the comic book versions of the Guardians were soon updated to match the successful movie portrayal.

The first Guardians of the Galaxy movie marked Marvel Studios’ first real dive into the space opera genre. It was impressive to see them commit so fully, building a universe with diverse planets, alien races, and complex galactic politics. The film also introduced major comic book villains like Ronan the Accuser and Josh Brolin as Thanos, laying the groundwork for the epic storyline of the Infinity Saga.

One of the big risks with the first Guardians of the Galaxy was the casting of Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord. Pratt was mainly known for his role in the TV show Parks and Recreation at the time, and he worked hard to get into shape for the part. It was an unusual choice, but it clearly worked out. Star-Lord has become a very popular Marvel hero, and Pratt has since become a well-known actor.

Looking back to 2014, the idea of Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket and Vin Diesel saying only ‘I am Groot’ seemed a bit strange. But that unexpected combination, before anyone knew how popular the movie would become, is actually what made it so charming and unique.

Guardians of the Galaxy’s Unique Style & Heart Proved The MCU’s Limitless Potential

What I really love about re-watching Guardians of the Galaxy is how genuinely heartfelt it is. The real emotions and connections between the characters make everything else – even the wildest parts – work. The movie has a unique style and tone that’s distinctly James Gunn, and the iconic soundtrack is just as essential to its identity as the story and characters themselves.

Though it features spaceships, strange artifacts, and quirky characters, the heart of Guardians of the Galaxy lies in themes of loss, the universal need for connection, and the families we create along the way. Peter Quill is dealing with his mother’s death, Gamora is trying to overcome a traumatic past with her adoptive father, and Rocket Raccoon is deeply wounded emotionally – all storylines that come full circle in the final Guardians film directed by James Gunn.

I really love Guardians of the Galaxy from 2014 because it was a game-changer for Marvel Studios. It showed everyone – both the audience and Marvel itself – that the Marvel Cinematic Universe could successfully handle a wide range of styles and stories, all while still developing compelling characters. It paved the way for more experimental Marvel movies going forward. If Guardians hadn’t been a hit, I believe the MCU would have taken a much more cautious path with less risk-taking.

Will The Guardians of the Galaxy Be Featured In Avengers: Doomsday?

With the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday signaling the end of the Multiverse Saga, it doesn’t look like the Guardians of the Galaxy will be involved. Although there’s a new Guardians team after the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, none of the actors from that team have been announced for Doomsday, and they haven’t appeared in any promotional materials so far. It’s possible they’ll be saved for the next big Marvel event, Avengers: Secret Wars, in 2027.

There’s a potential for Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill (Star-Lord) to return in Avengers: Doomsday, hinted at by the ending of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. That film showed Quill leaving the Guardians and going back to Earth to be with his grandfather, which could mean he’s still on Earth when the events of Doomsday unfold and a multiversal crisis hits.

I still really enjoy re-watching the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, even though it doesn’t seem to have many connections to the upcoming major Marvel crossover event.

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2026-05-03 05:49