The announcement that Kurt Russell was joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Peter Quill/Star-Lord’s father in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was met with a lot of excitement. Not only was Marvel snagging another acclaimed and celebrated actor, but we’d finally be learning the identity of Quill’s father – a lingering question left pointedly unanswered in the first Guardians.

Then it was revealed that Russell’s character was Ego the Living Planet, and just as it sounds, he is a character who has traditionally been a depicted as a sentient planet (see above). A planet is Star-Lords father? Understandably, anyone without a pretty strong grasp of the Marvel Comics universe – specifically the wild cosmic entities, many of which were created by Jack Kirby – wouldn’t have any clue who Ego is. Plus, how does a living planet father a human (well, half-human) son? The Guardians inhabit the strangest corner of the MCU, but even this is pretty weird.

The answer to how does Russell portray Ego the Living Planet on screen alongside Chris Pratt and the rest of the cast lies in the fact that Ego is a cosmic character, and therefore, incredibly powerful. This includes being able to take on different forms – like say “an angel made of light,” as he appeared to Quill’s mother, or in the form of Russell, as was revealed in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s Hall H footage.

Now we have another good look at Russell as the human form of Ego, and it comes from a new Hasbro action figure. Take a look, below:

Entertainment earth exclusive guardians of the galaxy vol.2 starlord and ego #marvellegends #marvellegendsinfiniteseries #actionfigures #avengers #comicbooks #thor #thehulk #ironman #drstrange #spiderman #amazingspiderman #xmen #xmenapocalypse #xmencomics #wolverine #comicbooks A post shared by @wrestlingcomics2k15 on Feb 17, 2017 at 1:49pm PST

As you can see, it’s very much what one would expect of Kurt Russell in the garb of space traveler (something that we also first saw on the floor of San Diego Comic-Con). Unlike the more adorable first looks we had with the Funko Pop! and Dorbz figurines, this sculpt gives a much clearer representation of how Russell will likely appear for a majority of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Not to suggest James Gunn won’t go there and spend at least some time (and budget) on a version of Ego as a living planet, it’s too great of an opportunity to pass up. But logistically, for a story that has Quill reuniting with his father it’d be ridiculous for him to be a planet the entire time, making it all too difficult to sell the more emotional moments between the two. Though don’t be surprised when the fact that Star-Lord’s dad is a planet is played for a laugh, it’s just too funny.

Next: Marvel Announces Baby Groot Comic Book Series

Source: wrestlingcomics2k15 (via Weeping Angel)

  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Release Date: 2017-05-05