Michael Rosenbaum To Be “Major” Player In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2

He may be connected to Sylvester Stallone.

By Mar. 19, 2017

Michael Rosenbaum is no stranger to the superhero. After a ten year stint as arguably the best Lex Luthor outside the comics, the Smallville star even came close to landing the role of Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy. That role going to Chris Pratt seems to have worked out for the best for everyone though, now that we know Rosenbaum was brought aboard his friend James Gunn’s cosmic sequel, releasing in six weeks time. Interestingly, unlike Gunn’s other actor buddy Nathan Fillion, Rosenbaum’s role seems to be more than a cameo appearance. Much more, for that matter, and it looks like we may have some more clues about Stallone’s role too.

Let the speculation begin!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 recently screened for Marvel employees, so the news was bound to get out sooner or later (Non Disclosure what? Secret Marvel SWAT Team who?) Gunn took to revealing it on the aforementioned Adam Carolla show, where he mentioned that a couple of characters who were “very important to the Marvel universe” would be making their debut in the Guardians sequel, and that “[his] friend Michael Rosenbaum also has a pretty decent role in the movie as well, and it sort of works in tandem with Sly’s character.”

I’ll be honest, unlike most times something like this is announced, I’m at something of a loss here. I’m going to still throw ideas at the wall (I assume one of these is bound to stick), but having little to no idea who these supposed “major” players are is kind of exciting, especially for the cosmic corner of the Marvel universe.

First instincts would suggest Rosenbaum is playing Adam Warlock given the presence of Ayesha (Warlock’s female replicant), though one has to wonder what role this McGuffin Jesus could play in Avengers: Infinity War and its sequel given that unlike Warlock in the comics, The Vision is now the one with the Infinity head. He could also just as easily be Mar-Vell, Marvel’s original Captain Marvel as a means to set up Carol Danvers, but that too is somewhat wishful thinking.

I guess if we’re going to speculate, we may need to take both Rosenbaum’s and Stallone’s roles into account. On one hand, Stallone could simply be playing a Ravager, but there were also reports of him wearing something similar to his Judge Dredd outfit, which sounds suspiciously like he’s a member of the Nova Corps. Could they each have the mantle of Nova, as Richard Rider and Sam Alexander? Or two consecutive Quasars? For that matter could Stallone be Marv-Vell, and Rosenbaum be his son Genis-Vell?

Maybe those connections are a bit too direct given Gunn’s phrasing (the roles “sort of work in tandem”), so perhaps it rules out my balls-to-the-wall fan wish of Stallone being the Galactus to Rosenbaum’s Silver Surfer thanks to some post-Fant4stic rights squabble. Hey if Kurt Russell can play EGO THE LIVING PLANET, nothing’s impossible. Although, the more realistic possibilities are a tad less exciting to anyone except people with a deeeeep knowledge of Guardians history. With a version of Yondu now in the fold, it’s entirely possible Gunn might be trying to incorporate some of the original 31st-century Guardians from the ‘60s and ‘70s into the movie timeline – Starhawk, Charlie 27, Martinex, maybe even a modern Guardian like Bug. Take your pick.

Hell, let’s all put money down, and whoever guesses correctly can choose where we donate it. Five dollars says Rosenbaum is Noh-Varr/Marvel Boy, and an additional five says Stallone is Kree A.I. The Supereme Intelligence. Yes, I know they’re different versions of the same character, but I’m not winning this bet anyway. Who’s your pick?

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 arrives May 5th, or a week earlier if you’re a show-off. Speculate away in the comments!

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