With writer-directorJames Gunnalready starting pre-production in Atlanta onGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the casting process has gotten under way as well.The Hollywood Reporterreveals that newcomerPom Klementieff(Oldboy) has signed on for a mystery role in the highly-anticipated superhero sequel, which is scheduled tostart productionin February 2016.Varietyalso reports thatMarvelandJames Gunnwanted Oscar winnerMatthew McConaugheyto play the unspecified villain, but he turned down the role.
Insiders claim that a final decision on the villain role should be made within the next two weeks, but it isn’t clear who the front runners may be, afterMatthew McConaugheypassed. The actor revealed in May that he has been offered bothMarvelandDC Comicsprojects, but he wouldn’t specify which scripts he read. It’s worth noting thatJames Gunndidn’t finish the script forGuardians of the Galaxy 2until early June, so it’s unlikely that this sequel is one of the projects he read for, especially afterVariety’s report claims that the actor only recently turned down the villain role.
As forPom Klementieff, insiders claimed that the actress seemed to have an “edge” with studio executives and the director, but it isn’t clear what other actresses tried out for the role. The studio held a round of chemistry reads, with the role calling specifically for an Asian actress. Regardless of who she is playing, if her deal is finalized,Pom Klementieffwill become the first new cast member to joinChris Pratt(Star-Lord),Vin Diesel(Groot),Zoe Saldana(Gamora),Bradley Cooper(Rocket Raccoon) andDave Bautista(Drax the Destroyer) in the sequel.
James Gunnis directingGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2from his own screenplay, withKevin Feigeproducing. The director has teased plenty of story details throughout the past year, including that fans will get a definitive answer as to who Star-Lord’s father really is, and it won’t be the same character as the comics, J’son. The filmmaker has also teased that, since the first movie revolved around mothers, the sequel will center on fathers. With production about to start in a few months, hopefully new details will surface soon.
Pom Klementieffhas mostly worked in France, starring in films such as Borderline,Sleepless Nightand Delicacy. She made her American debut in 2013’sOldboyremake, where she played Haeng-Bok, a henchwoman forSharlto Copley’s character The Stranger. She most recently starred in Hacker’s Game, which hit theaters back in March. Do you have any theories about whoPom Klementieffmay be playing inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2?
