'Guardians of the Galaxy' Breaks August Box Office Record

Get a load of these record breakers

Were you one of the millions of movie-goers who saw Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" this weekend? We're betting you were. The film, which opened in 4,080 theaters, revived this summer's slump and brought in an August record-breaking $94 million at the box office. However, it's not at the top of the list for this summer, it's actually the third biggest opening of 2014. "Transformers: Age of Extinction" brought in a little more coin at $100 million and another Marvel flick, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" edged out the Guardians with $95 million.

The James Gunn-directed film was made for $170 million and is certain to recoup that amount thanks to the immensely positive buzz this film is receiving. For example, according to Entertainment Weekly, "Guardians scored a great 92 percent from reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- from EW‘s Chris Nashawaty, who called it 'a giddily subversive space opera that runs on self-aware smart-assert.'" Our own Aaron Sagers attended a screening of the film and even before it was released, he predicted that "Marvel has a new shiny gem to add to its growing cinematic gauntlet."

Marvel is definitely on a roll and EW points out that Guardians is "Marvel’s ninth consecutive No. 1 movie, a streak that reaches back to 'Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance' (2012), which debuted at No. 3." They're on such a roll that a sequel to Guardians was announced at San Diego Comic-Con a week before the film even opened. According to James Gunn, they're hoping for a July 28, 2017 release date. 2017! Too far away!

Courtesy Universal

We want to know your thoughts on this film and why you loved it (or hated it...you're in the minority) so much. Who would have thought that Andy Dwyer from NBC's "Parks and Recreation" could be such an effective and kick ass "superhero?" Chris Pratt will also be starring in next summer's (June 12) "Jurassic World." Not too shabby.

Here's this weekend's box office break-down:

1. Guardians of the Galaxy – $94 million (new)
2. Lucy – $18.3 million ($79.6 million total)
3. Get On Up – $14 million (new)
4. Hercules — $10.7 million ($52.3 million total)
5. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes– $8.7 million Friday ($189.3 million total)

-Larissa Mrykalo

James Gunn Announces Sequel to 'Guardians of the Galaxy'

"Guardians of the Galaxy" director, James Gunn just made a fun little announcement on his official Facebook page! GotG doesn't come out until this Friday, August 1 but it looks like a second film is already being planned. Here's what Gunn wrote about his Comic-Con announcement...

So, anyway, just now at Comicon a filmed bit with me and Chris Pratt played where we announced the sequel to ‪#‎GuardiansoftheGalaxy‬, which we're working on to release in theaters on July 28, 2017. Yes, I suppose this is ballsy, considering the film hasn't even been released yet, but I guess I just can't let go of that damn raccoon! Please go see Guardians of the Galaxy 1 in theaters next week. By the way, this photo has nothing to do with any of that - it's from the LA Times Hero Complex story on me which I appreciate quite a bit.

Will you be heading to theaters on August 1? It looks like early reviews are incredibly positive and we're betting on a huge opening weekend.

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Guardians of the Galaxy' Soundtrack Will Have You Hooked

Courtesy Nerdist.com

If you're excited about Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" you really should "like" director James Gunn's Facebook page. Why? Lots of goodies about the film, including a link to purchase Peter Quill's mixed tape. The trailers feature some cool tunes and now you can pre-order the soundtrack on Amazon for $19.47 by clicking here.

Here's what Gunn said on his page:

You wanted the track list for the #GuardiansoftheGalaxy soundtrack, here it is -

NOTE this is not the entirety of the Mixed Tape that Peter Quill listens to, the one that I gave to Chris Pratt that he listened to endlessly before the movie started. That is a longer list, that includes these songs, among others. I'll release that full list closer to the release of them film

However, if you don't want to be SPOILED on the songs in the movie, and see them as they play....

Don't scroll down. (in our case, don't read past the jump...that's where the list is hidden)

-Larissa Mrykalo

New 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Extended TV Spot

More cool tunage ("Cherry Bomb!"), more footage, more Rocket Racoon, a little more Nebula than usual and lots more Glenn Close. It's the new extended TV spot for Marvel's James Gunn-wirtten/directed super awesomeness that's "Guardians of the Galaxy!"

The film is out on August 1 and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close and Benicio del Toro. By the way, IMDB has added Nathan Fillion to the cast but there's no character mentioned (even though when a fan tried to finagle the scoop out of him at the "Firefly" panel this past weekend at Wizard World Philadelphia, he adamantly denied that he'd be partaking in the film). Despite denying the rumors, James Gunn confirmed a small Fillion cameo in GotG. Speculation is rampant as to what or whom he'll actually be playing, so we'll just have to wait and see!

Here's a synopsis and then you can check out the new video:

Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe.

To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer.

But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand with the galaxy's fate in the balance.



-Larissa Mrykalo

'Star Wars' Gets the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Trailer Treatment

"Guardians of the Galaxy" director, James Gunn posted this cool "Star Wars"/"Guardians of the Galaxy" mash-up trailer earlier today on his Facebook page and we think you should check it out. It's good for a laugh and of course, getting to hear the awesome music used in the recent GotG trailers.

The trailer is courtesy of The Unusual Suspect's YouTube. Have a look and let us know what you think. "Guardians of the Galaxy" hits theaters on August 1.

-Larissa Mrykalo

Second Trailer Released for Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy'

The second trailer for this Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" is up and not only does its soundtrack rock but so does Groot. Our fate lies in the hands of some colorful criminals but they're pretty damn cool and they've a talking raccoon so it's all good. The James Gunn-directed film is out on August 1 and stars Chris Pratt at Peter Quill, aka Star Lord as well as some other big stars including; Zoe Saldana, Glenn Close, Bradley Cooper and Karen Gillan. Better yet, here are the official character descriptions and the synopsis and of course, let us know if you'll be heading out to on August 1 to check out if the guardians save our galaxy.

PETER QUILL (Chris Pratt)
Peter Quill is an interstellar adventurer who was abducted from Earth at a young age. After recovering an ancient artifact, Quill must rally an unlikely team of cosmic misfits to prevent a powerful villain from destroying the galaxy.

GAMORA (Zoe Saldana)
Gamora is an orphan from an alien world who was raised by the mysterious Thanos to become the perfect weapon. As Thanos’ personal assassin, Gamora has earned a reputation as a formidable warrior. Gamora now seeks redemption for her past crimes.

DRAX (Dave Bautista)
A physical brute, Drax has a personal vendetta against Ronan, who killed his family. Now fueled by pure rage, Drax will stop at nothing to take his revenge on the most dangerous being in the galaxy.

GROOT (Vin Diesel)
Groot descends from a race of walking flora and resembles a sentient tree. Despite his strange appearance and limited communication skills, Groot proves to be a valuable ally and a loyal friend—not only to his fellow bounty hunter Rocket but to the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy as well.

Nathan Fillion Reveals He Might Appear In 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'

I claim this as a personal win since I was the one hosting the "Firefly" panel with Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin and Alan Tudyk. But in the Q&A portion of a panel at last weekend's Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, a fan asked if Fillion had been wanting to get a role in director James Gunn's "Guardians of the Galaxy" Marvel-verse flick opening Aug. 1. It is a solid question, since Fillion and Gunn (a St. Louis native) are friends and collaborated on Slither.

What was Fillion's response? Revealing:

“Wanting to get a part? Or maybe did? I’m just saying maybe, maybe there’ll be a surprise. Maybe check the credits of the movie when you watch it."

That sure sounds like Fillion will be showing up on the big screen this summer. It might be in a cameo role or maybe Gunn is setting up Fillion for a future role. Show up to see the "Guardians" in action this August to find out.

-Aaron Sagers

Sneak Peek at the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Trailer and Karen Gillan as Nebula

First Look at Karen Gillan as "Nebula" (courtesy DoctorLongscarf's Twitter)

We have to wait until Marvel Entertainment's full trailer for the James Gunn-directed "Guardians of the Galaxy" debuts tonight on Jimmy Kimmel Live but at least we can grab a 19-second peek right now. We get a decent look at Chris Pratt as "Peter Quill" aka "Star-Lord," Zoe Saldana as "Gamora," Dave Bautista as "Drax the Destroyer," Vin Diesel as "Groot," and most notably, Karen Gillan as "Nebula." Sadly, we didn't hear much from Bradley Cooper as "Rocket Raccoon."

Watch the action-packed peek below and then check back here for the full trailer.

"Guardians of the Galaxy" is scheduled to open in theaters on August 1.



-Larissa Mrykalo