Warning: This post contains possible SPOILERS for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

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After months of rumors, Sylvester Stallone’s mystery character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 may have finally been revealed, and it’s a sizable role for this corner of the MCU. James Gunn ushered in a new era for the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2014 with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy. After seeing just glimpses of the cosmos in both Thor films, Gunn’s new franchise broke open the MCU to have the ability to explore an actual universe. With a comic history as large and broad as the cosmos, the possibilities for new characters and franchises set in space are high. For now, the Guardians sequel will serve as the next piece in fleshing out this universe, with Thor: Ragnarok helping later in the year.

Even though Vol. 2 will see everyone’s favorite five Guardians return, it will also see Matnis (Pom Klementieff) be introduced and join the team, along with former adversaries Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Yondu (Michael Rooker) join the team. One of the other major additions to the sequel is Sylvester Stallone, but his role has been shrouded with mystery ever since he joined. Well, new evidence may have just revealed his role.

MoviesBookIT on Twitter has shared a rather revealing press release for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 that appears to confirm who Stallone is playing. If this is indeed legit, Stallone is playing none other than Stakar Ogord, a.k.a. Starhawk. While the legitimacy of this release can be rightfully questioned, the information seems true. MCU Exchange ran a speculation piece about Stallone’s role before this release came out, sighting a passage from the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Junior Novel. In chapter eight of this book, Yondu encounters “a legend among the Ravagers” who mentions Aleta (Starhawk’s sister) by name. Yondu’s conversation with this Ravager legend ends with the character believed to be Stallone’s Starhawk exiling Yondu from the group, saying he “won’t hear no Horns of Freedom when you die, and the colors of Ogord will not flash over your grave.”

It is important to note that none of this is confirmed by Marvel, yet, but the junior novel is based on the movie. With that information and the press release combined, it makes a strong case that Stallone is ultimately going to be playing Starhawk. Gunn has previously said that Stallone has a very important role that is tied to Marvel lore, and that both he and Kurt Russell’s Ego will likely return in future films. While that does not necessarily prove that he is Starhawk, it does help make it more likely, especially when its considered that Stallone was previously rumored to be a member of the Ravagers.

In the comics, Starhawk is a descendant of Quasar and Kismet - also known as Her or Ayesha, who Elizabeth Debicki is playing the sequel - from the future in an alternate reality than the main line of Marvel comics. He is traditionally not a member of the Ravagers and even is a Guardian in some iterations, but if he is set to join the team, it doesn’t appear that will happen in this film. If this is who Stallone is ultimately playing, Gunn appears to be changing the character to fit the film and potentially give him a bigger future.

Source: Twitter, MCU Exchange

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