For a while now there’s been a bit of speculation about whether or not Sylvester Stallone is starring in the second instalment of Marvel Studios’ space opera, Guardians of the Galaxy. If he is in fact in the movie then that begs the question as to the identity of the character he’s playing. Given that the synopsis for the film was released not too long ago, I’ve been pondering on the ramifications of what it says since I first read it. I’ve concluded that there is at least a possibility that Sylvester Stallone will be playing Vance Astro, AKA Major Victory in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. On top of that there may also be a case to be made for Sharon Stone playing Nikki in the movie. The synopsis is quoted below.
“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-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.” – Source: ComicBookMovie.com
I’ve underlined that part because of what I believe may be the case with Stallone and Stone. During the filming of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Sylvester Stallone was photographed in the general area of where the movie was being shot with what appeared to be a script in his hand. Meanwhile, a little more recently, Sharon Stone has hinted at having a Marvel role that involved her having heat powers. You can find some more information on these things here (Stallone) and here (Stone) although there really isn’t very much else to it. Given the secrecy surrounding essentially everyone’s role in Guardians 2, it’s not beyond reason to think that these two are playing coy about their roles. Kurt Russell is doing the same, although he’s almost definitely Star Lord’s dad, but who’s Star Lord’s dad? Anyhow, I believe that despite a report suggesting Stallone is playing a Ravager as a cameo role, he is actually playing the leader of the original Guardians of the Galaxy, Vance Astro. In the 90’s the character bore an uncanny resemblance to Stallone’s infamously crazed ‘Nam veteran character John Rambo. The cut of red cloth tied about his head, holding his thick black curls of hair out of his face, the resemblance is truly uncanny.
Then of course there’s Sharon Stone’s all too cryptic comments about her upcoming Marvel role. Her simply saying that her secret power is heat suggests she may well be playing Nikki, also a classic Guardian of the Galaxy. Nikki was resilient to heat and actually had fire for hair for quite some time. This was down to the fact that she was a genetically altered human who was designed to survive the inhospitable environment of Mercury. These Guardians were all from a future where mankind had colonised the solar system, and Yondu was the only real alien on the team. Aside from her comments about heat, there’s nothing else to lend credence to the idea of Sharon Stone playing Nikki in Guardians 2. Or is there? After all, Sly Stallone, Sharon Stone and Kurt Russell all had the peak of their stardom in the eighties. Perhaps their castings were an attempt by James Gunn to hearken back to those days of sexy, block buster action thrillers that these particular stars were famous for.
Essentially, the synopsis mentioning characters from the classic comic books suggest that these actors who may have Marvel roles could well be keeping quiet about the fact that they’re in Guardians 2. San Diego Comic-Con is just around the corner though, so we’ll just have to wait and see what James Gunn brings to the panel.
Marvel Cinematic Universe Theories 