MARVEL STUDIOS BEGINS PRODUCTION ON

“GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY”

Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” Commences Principal Photography in the UK in Preparation for August 1, 2014 Film Release

Marvel Studios has begun production on Guardians of the Galaxy which is directed by James Gunn and slated for an August 1st, 2014 release.

The story features Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace), Yondu (Michael Rooker), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Korath the Pursuer (Djimon Hounsou), The Collector (Benicio del Toro), Rhomann Dey (John C. Reilly), Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Nova Prime (Glenn Close). Groot & Rocket Raccoon will both be CGI characters with voice-over actors, who have yet to be announced.

While the characters may not be known by many people who don’t read comics, Marvel Studios is banking on the huge success of The Avengers to bring people into theaters for Guardians of the Galaxy.

Below is the full press release and a huge selection of photos of the cast from San Diego Comic-Con 2013.

Press Release

“Guardians of the Galaxy,” the next epic adventure from Marvel Studios has started shooting at the UK’s Shepperton Studios. Directed by James Gunn (“Slither,”“Super”) from his screenplay, with a story by Nicole Perlman and Gunn, the film will introduce audiences to a whole new side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The all-star cast includes Chris Pratt (“Zero Dark Thirty”, “Moneyball”) as Peter Quill aka Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana (“Star Trek Into Darkness”, “Avatar”) as Gamora, Dave Bautista (“Riddick”) as Drax the Destroyer, Lee Pace (“The Hobbit,” “Lincoln”) as Ronan the Accuser, Michael Rooker (AMC’s “The Walking Dead”) as Yondu, Karen Gillan (BBC TV’s “Doctor Who”) as Nebula, two-time Academy Award® nominee Djimon Hounsou (“Amistad”, “Gladiator”) as Korath, with Academy Award® winner Benicio del Toro (“Traffic”) as The Collector, Academy Award® nominee John C. Reilly (“Chicago”) as Rhomann Dey, and six-time Academy Award® nominee Glenn Close (“Albert Nobbs,” “Fatal Attraction”) as Nova Prime.

Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” is slated for an August 1, 2014 release in the U.S.

Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige is producing the film. The executive producers are Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jeremy Latcham, Alan Fine and Stan Lee; the co-producer is Nik Korda.

The creative team includes director of photography Ben Davis, BSC (“Wrath of the Titans”, “Kick-Ass”), production designer Charles Wood (“Thor: The Dark World”), BAFTA-nominated Editor Fred Raskin (“Django Unchained,” “Fast Five”) and Academy Award®-winning editor Hughes Winborne, A.C.E. (“The Help,” “Crash”), and Academy Award® winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne (“Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Elizabeth The Golden Age”). The film will also shoot at Longcross Studios, and locations in and around London.

Marvel Studios’ last two releases were “Marvel’s The Avengers” and “Iron Man 3,” which are the #3 and #5 highest grossing films of all time and the two highest-grossing films ever released by the Walt Disney Company. The two films are the #1 and #2 all-time domestic 3-day weekend box office record holders at $207.4 million and $174.1 million respectively.

The studio’s upcoming release schedule includes “Thor: The Dark World” on November 8, 2013, and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” on April 4, 2014.