Marvel Studios has released the final trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, giving fans their last look at what to expect before the misfit superheroes return to cinemas.
The promo clip, which debuted on US chat show Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night, follows a series of brief teasers over the past months offering a glimpse of the challenges the oddball team will face and some of the new characters they will meet.
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It also reveals more of the classic 1970s soundtrack, featuring Fleetwood Mac's The Chain, and highlights the mix of off-beat humour and action that made the original film a hit.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 is set a few months after the first, with the squabbling superheroes struggling to keep their team together while helping Chris Pratt's Star-Lord/Peter Quill discover his true parentage.
In the new two-minute teaser, Quill is preparing for the arrival of a squid-like alien monster flanked by fellow guardians Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Drax (Dave Bautista) and Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel). And as usual, there's plenty of bickering and banter between the gang.
Meanwhile, the golden High Priestess Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), the leader of the Sovereign people, seeks their help and wise-cracking Rocket asks if they are saving the galaxy again, saying they should be able to increase their fees as "two-time galaxy savers".
The trailer also offers footage of new members of the team Yondu (Michael Rooker), Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff).
The big reveal, however, is the appearance of a bearded Kurt Russell, who says he is Quill's dad, Ego, a mysterious cosmic being in the Marvel comics but here donning a humanoid guise.
Fans concerned the extended clip gives away too many spoilers need not worry. Director James Gunn told Hollywood Reporter he had been careful to ensure there are surprises in store, even for the most eagle-eyed viewers.
He said: "With Guardians, people really go through every single little shot and try to figure out what the movie's about and there's a lot of mysteries in Guardians 2.
"We were talking about how much to give away - and we're not going to give away very much."
The trailer, however, does offer a hidden treat for nostalgic gamers, says Mike Fahey at Kotaku. The opening sequence features Quill reading a device that turns out to be a replica of Mattel's classic handheld football game.
Fahey adds: "I remember sitting in my grandmother's living room playing it. I don't remember it being capable of detecting approaching intergalactic monsters, but it was pretty long ago."
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 opens in UK cinemas on 28 April
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Marvel announces plot details
21 June
The likes of Spider-Man and Captain America have brought Marvel huge success, but the company has also seen its lesser-known franchises, such as Deadpool and Guardians of The Galaxy, turn into huge global hits.
The first Guardians film far outperformed its box office expectations, making $773m (£524m) worldwide. Consequently, the studio rapidly gave the green light to a sequel, which has been the subject of considerable interest from fans keen to know in which direction the band of misfit space heroes will go next.
Yesterday, Marvel brought an end to that speculation, unveiling a short synopsis for the film.
"Set to the backdrop of 'Awesome Mixtape #2,' Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team's adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill's true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favourite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes' aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand," it says.
Film site Collider says the synopsis raises as many questions as it answers.
"When it comes to 'old foes become new allies', does this mean that the Collector will aid the Guardians? Or could it be Nebula? Possibly Yondu?" it asks.
The sequel will "expand what we can see in a Marvel space opera", says Screen Rant, and will also "make some sort of reveal regarding Peter Quill's father (especially given the casting), and deliver a hopefully-killer new soundtrack".
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will be released in May 2017
Guardians of the Galaxy 2: What we know so far
24 March
After Guardians of the Galaxy exceeded expectations in 2014, with glowing reviews and healthy takings at the box office, its sequel has become one of the most anticipated films of 2017.
Although Marvel Studios are masters at keeping details of their projects under wraps, rumours about the new film are beginning to emerge, including the fate of various characters.
Kurt Russell is involved
Kurt Russell will take a part in the film, a development confirmed on Facebook by director James Gunn. "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," he wore. Rumour has it that Russell might play the father of Peter Quill (Chris Pratt).
Who else will appear?
Among the talent signed-up to return are Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper. Rocky and Rambo star Sylvester Stallone is also widely rumoured to be taking a role in the film. The veteran actor has been spotted leaving a hotel in Atlanta where the cast are staying – and he was clutching a script.
Also coming back is Nebula (Karen Gillan), but Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace) is almost certain not to feature.
Characters will undergo dramatic transformations
Quill, aka Star-Lord, will transform from the womanising rogue of the first film into a more mature and poised character, says CinemaBlend. His long-lost father is set to return, but Gunn says that won't be what the overall narrative rests upon.
Drax the Destroyer (Bautista) is also rumoured to undergo a transformation, with the director vowing that viewers will learn things about the alien warrior "that nobody knows", while Groot, the alien tree voiced by Vin Diesel, is expected to recover fully from his mishap in the first film.
What has the director been saying?
Gunn, who was also at the helm for the previous instalment, has posted a storyboard frame to his Facebook page, explaining that he sketches a "messy" thumbnail image before they shoot each frame of the film.
When will the film be released?
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 is scheduled to be released in the UK on 28 April 2017.
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