‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ adds Kurt Russell; Sapling Groot is back

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” has confirmed Kurt Russell in the cast. The “Hateful Eight” star will play an unknown character in the superhero film sequel, which will bring back stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper.

The film will see the misfits embarking on their new adventure as they try to discover Peter Quill/Star-Lord’s (Pratt) true parentage. Russell’s character hasn’t been named, but it’s widely rumoured he would be playing Star-Lord’s father, who, as it was revealed in the first film, is from an ancient species.

“My favourite movie as a small child was ‘The Strongest Man in the World,’ so I’m glad to announce that, yes, Kurt Russell has joined our cast and, yes, he is more awesome a dude than I ever could have imagined,” director James Gunn wrote on Facebook.

Pom Klementieff (“Oldboy”), Elizabeth Debicki (“The Great Gatsby”) and Chris Sullivan (“The Drop”) are also joining the cast. Their characters are also undisclosed.

Fans will be glad to know that Groot (Diesel) the sapling will be back. Judging from the teaser poster Marvel has just released, which sees the team’s shadows, the now-tiny tree-like humanoid is still part of the disparate team. He is seen standing on Drax the Destroyer’s (Bautista) shoulder. It’s still unclear if he would remain a sapling throughout the film or would grow back to his former size.

As it can be remembered in the first film, Groot died protecting his friends – Star-Lord, Gamora (Saldana), Drax and Rocket (voiced by Cooper). Rocket kept and planted a cut stem from his body. That stem woke up and adorably danced to the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” in the end.

Gunn will be back to helm the film from the screenplay he wrote. Also returning are Karen Gillan (Nebula), Michael Rooker (Yondu Udonta), Sean Gunn (Kraglin) and Glenn Close (Irani Rael).

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is expected to be released in May 2017 in the US.